Surveyon Impacts of External Lighting in Hong Kong

FINAL REPORT
FOR
CONSULTANCY AGREEMENT No.2C2TP09
SURVEY ON IMPACTS OF EXTERNAL LIGHTING IN

HONG KONG
Consultancy Agreement No.2C2TP09:
Consultancy Services for Survey on Impacts of
External Lighting in Hong Kong
CONTENTS
Abbreviations ................................................................................................................................................... vi
Key Symbols ..................................................................................................................................... vii
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.....................................................................................................1
1 INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................................7
1.1 Background ............................................................................................................................................7
1.2 Objectives of Study ................................................................................................................................7
1.3 Scope of study .........................................................................................................................................7
1.4 Methodology ..................................................................................................................................................9
1.5 Structure of Reporting ................................................................................................................................9
2 REVIEW OF OVERSEAS EXPERIENCE IN IDENTIFYING AND

MEASURING PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH EXTERNAL LIGHTING 11
2.1 Obtrusive Light Effects of External lighting ..............................................................................11
2.2 Methods and Parameters used for Measuring and Assessing the Impact of External Lighting
........................................................................................................................................................ 13
2.2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................13
2.2.2 Lighting Environmental Zoning ................................................................................................ 13
2.2.21 CIE Zoning System ...........................................................................................................14
2.2.3 Curfew ....................................................................................................................................... 14
2.2.4 Parameters and limiting values used for assessing the effects on residents................................15
2.2.4.1 Light trespass..................................................................................................................... 15
2.2.4.2 Glare from bright light sources, building facades and signs...............................................17
2.2.5 Parameters and Limiting Values used for Assessing the Effects on Road Users.........................20
2.2.5.1 Disability glare on all road users (drivers, cyclists, pedestrians).......................................20
2.2.5.2 Discomfort glare on pedestrians ........................................................................................ 21
2.2.6 Parameters and Limiting Values used for Assessing the Effects on Astronomical Observation 22
2.2.6.1 The magnitude scale and the limiting visual magnitude ................................................... 22
2.2.6.2 Upward light ratio (ULR)................................................................................................... 23
2.2.7 Parameters and Limiting Values used for Assessing Energy Efficiency of External Lighting. ..23
2.2.7.1 Efficiency of lamps, control gear and luminaires............................................................... 23
2.2.7.2 Lighting power density (LPD) .......................................................................................... 24
2.3 Luminaire Classification for the Control of Obtrusive Light Effects ....................................... 25
2.3.1 Shielding Classification.............................................................................................................. 25
2.3.2 Cutoff Classification.................................................................................................................. .26
3 INVESTIGATION OF THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT WITH RESPECT TO

EXTERNAL LIGHTING ........................................................................................... 27
3.1 Introduction .....................................................................................................................................27
3.2 Types of External Lighting in Hong Kong that may cause Light Pollution ...............................27
3.3 Light Pollution in Hong Kong ...................................................................................................... 28

3.3.1 Nuisance Complaints caused by External Lighting.....................................................................28
3.3.2 Results of a Territory-wideresearch by HKU on 'Light Pollution' (Sky Glow).......................... 29
Final Report i
3.4 Identification of Selected Districts /Areas for Detailed Site Survey / Investigation ...................30
3.5 Parameters Considered Suitable for Assessment of the Problems of External Lighting and
the Recommended Thresholds for Assessment Purpose in the Survey ......................................32
3.5.1 Lighting Environmental Zoning .........................................................................................................32
3.5.2 Curfew Hour ......................................................................................................................................33
3.5.3 Parameters and Limiting Values for Quantitative Assessment of the Effects on Residents ...............33
3.5.3.1 Light trespass ............................................................................................................................33
3.5.3.2 Glare from bright light sources, building facades and signs ...................................................... 34
3.5.4 Parameters and Thresholds for Quantitative Assessment of the Effects on Road Users ......................35
3.5.4.1 Disability glare on all road users (drivers, cyclists, pedestrians) .............................................35
3.5.4.2 Discomfort glare on pedestrians ................................................................................................35
3.5.5 Parameters and Limiting Values for Quantitative Assessment of the Effects on Astronomical
Observation ........................................................................................................................................ 36
3.5.5.1 The limiting visual magnitude and the night sky brightness ........................................................36
3.5.5.2 Upward light ratio (ULR) .........................................................................................................36
3.5.6 Parameters and Limiting Values for Quantitative Assessment of Energy Efficiency of External
Lighting .............................................................................................................................................. 37
3.5.6.1 Efficiency of lamps, control gear and luminaires ....................................................................... 37
3.5.6.2 Lighting power density (LPD) ...................................................................................................37
4 SURVEY OF THE EXTERNAL LIGHTING CONDITIONS IN HONG KONG

.................................................................................................................................................38
4.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................38
4.2 Survey Methodology ...............................................................................................................................38

4.2.1 Pre-requisitions ...................................................................................................................................38
4.2.2 Information of Survey Area ................................................................................................................40
4.2.3 Proposed Methodology / Approach for Survey ..................................................................................41
4.2.4 Approach for Site Measurements in Urban Areas .............................................................................42
4.2.5 Measuring Instruments .......................................................................................................................43
4.2.6 Limitation for Measurement of Glare on Residents due to Bright Luminaries .................................43
4.2.7 Limitation for Measurement of LPD for Internally & Externally Illuminated Signs .......................44
4.2.8 Measurement of Vertical Illuminance on Facade/ Windows of Residents .........................................44
4.2.9 Benchmark to Classify the External Lighting Impacts ........................................................................44
4.3 Survey on External Lighting Conditions of 6 Representative Districts / Areas in Hong Kong.
.................................................................................................................................................................. 45
4.3.1 Shun Lee Estate (Kwun Tong) in Urban Residential Area (E3) .......................................................45
4.3.1.1 District /Area Overview ............................................................................................................. 45
4.3.1.2 Particular Measuring Requirements / Measurement Data ........................................................ 45
4.3.2 DesVoeux Road Central /Chater Road (Central) in Commercial Area (E4) .......................................48
4.3.2.1 District /Area Overview ............................................................................................................ 48
4.3.2.2 Particular Measuring Requirements / Measurement Data .........................................................48
4.3.3 Paterson Street / Great George Street(Causeway Bay) in Commercial-cum-residential Area(E4)
............................................................................................................................................................. 53
4.3.3.1 District / Area Overview ................................................................................................................ 53
4.3.3.2 Particular Measuring Requirements / Measurement Data ...............................................................53
4.3.4 Nathan Road / Sai Yeung Choi Street South (Mongkok) in Commercial-cum-residential Area
(E4) ...................................................................................................................................................... 57
4.3.4.1 District /Area Overview ..............................................................................................................57
4.3.4.2 Particular Measuring Requirements /Measurement Data ..........................................................57
4.3.5 Yan King RoadIKai King Road (PoLam,Tseung Kwan O) in New Town Area (E3) ......................... 61
4.3.5.1 District/ Area Overview ............................................................................................................. 61
4.3.5.2 Particular Measuring Requirements /Measurement Data ...........................................................61
4.3.6 Clear Water Bay Country Park with nearby villages, Tai Hang Hau and Tai Wan Tau (Sai
Kung) in Rural Area (E2) ...................................................................................................................64
4.3.6.1 District /Area Overview ............................................................................................................ 64
Final Report ii
4.3.6.2 Particular Measuring Requirements / Measurement Data .........................................................64
5 ESTIMATION OF ENERGY CONSUMPTION OF EXTERNAL LIGHTINGS

IN SURVEYED DISTRICTS/AREAS .......................................................................66
5.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 66
5.2 Findings of Survey Results .......................................................................................................... 66
5.3 General Energy Saving Measures ...............................................................................................68

5.3.1 MeasuresES1 - Reduction in Operation Hour of External Lighting at Night ................ .....................68
5.3.2 MeasuresES2 - Luminaire Replacement with Electronic Ballast for T8 Fluorescent Tube and
High Efficacy Lighting Sources .........................................................................................................68
5.4 Comparison of Energy Consumptions in 6 Surveyed Districts / Areas .................................... 70
5.5 Proposed Measures to Cope with Energy Wastage in the Surveyed Areas ................................ 75
6 ASSESSMENT OF THE EXTENT OF LIGHT NUISANCE PROBLEMS IN

SURVEYED DISTRICTS/AREAS ............................................................................78
6.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 78
6.2 Findings of Survey Result...............................................................................................................78

6.2.1 General ................................................................................................................................................ 78
6.2.2 Shun Lee Estate (Urban Residential Area) ........................................................................................ 78
6.2.3 Central (Commercial Area) ............................................................................................................... 78
6.2.4 Causeway Bay & Mongkok (Commercial-cum-residential Area) .................................................... 78
6.2.5 Tseung Kwan O (New Town) ..............................................................................................................79
6.2.6 Clear Water Bay Country Park (Rural Area) ..................................................................................... 79
6.2.7 Summary of light nuisance situations on the 6 Surveyed Districts/Areas ......................................... 79
6.3 General Control Measures ........................................................................................................... 80

6.3.1 Type 1-Reduction in operation hour of external lighting at night. ........................................................80
6.3.2 Type 2-Positioning and type of lighting ...............................................................................................80
6.3.3 Type 3-Conducting an impact assessment before installation work in new lighting or existing
lighting with major renovation as preventative measure .....................................................................81
6.4 Proposed Measures to Cope with Light Nuisance Problems in the Surveyed Areas ..............82
7 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION ........................................................83
7.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................83
7.2 Proposed Way Forward to Cope with the Problematic Spots identified from Surveyed Areas
.......................................................................................................................................................... 83
7.3 Recommended Practice (reference guideline) for Measuring and Assessing the Impacts of
External lighting in Hong Kong ................................................................................................... 84
7.3.1 Introduction ..........................................................................................................................................84
7.3.2 Lighting Environmental Zoning ..........................................................................................................84
7.3.3 Establishment of Curfew Hour ............................................................................................................ 85
7.3.4 Light Trespass, Glare from Bright Light Sources, Building Facades and Signs ....................................86
7.4 Recommendation ............................................................................................................................88
Final Report iii

Appendices
Appendix A - General information of Site Survey Areas
Tables
Table 2.1 Classification of environmental zones for external lighting 14
Table 2.2 Light technical parameters and limits for the assessment of light trespass 16
Table 2.3 Light technical parameters and limits for the assessment of the effect of glare on 18
residents due to bright luminaires, building facades and signs
Table 2.3(a) Maximum luminous intensity per luminaire for pre-curfew operating times 19
specified in Australian Standard AS4282-1997
Table 2.4 Light technical parameter and limits for the assessment of disability glare on road 20
users
Table 2.4(a) Road lighting classes and minimum maintained average road surface luminance 20
(CIE 115:1995; BS EN 13210-2:2003; HKSAR HyD Public Lighting Design
Manual)
Table 2.5 Light technical parameter and limits for the assessment of discomfort glare on road 21
users (mainly pedestrians and cyclists)
Table 2.6 Light technical parameter and limits for control of sky glow effect 23
Table 2.7 Recommended LPD values for building facade lighting in JGJ/T 163-2008 24
Table 2.8 Recommended LPD values for building architectural lighting in DB11/T 388.4 - 25
2006
Table 2.9 Shielding classification of outdoor luminaires 26
Table 2.10 Cutoff classification of outdoor luminaires 26
Table 3.1 Number of complaints on nuisance caused by lighting 28
Table 3.2 Number of complaints on different light sources received by EPD 28
Table 3.3 Number of sites with different night sky brightness (from Hong Kong Light 29
Pollution Map by HKU, http://nightsky.physics.hku.hk)
Table 3.4 Range of night sky brightness in different districts/areas 30

Table 3.5 Characteristics of external lighting in the 6 selected districtsIareas 31
Table 3.6 Lighting environmental zones for the lighting survey 32
Table 3.7 Proposed limits for assessing light trespass (extracted from CIE standard) 33
Table 3.8 Proposed parameters and limits for assessing glare impact on residents from bright 34
luminaires, building facades and signs (including video walls)
Table 3.9 Recommended parameters and limits for assessing glare impact on road users due 35
to non road lighting
Table 3.10 Proposed parameters and limits for assessing the performance of special 36
conservation zones for astronomical observations
Table 3.11 Recommended parameter and limit for assessing lighting installations for reducing 36
sky glow effect
Table 3.12 Proposed limiting values of light power density for assessing energy efficiency of 37
lighting for building facade and signs
Table 4.1 Lighting environmental zones adopted for survey 38
Table 4.2 Proposed parameters and thresholds for detailed survey in different district types 39
Table 4.3 Benchmark to classify the light trespass impacts 44
Final Report iv
Table 5.1 Comparison of excess in operation hour after pre-set time and estimated low 67
lighting fitting efficacy to be used in 6 surveyed districts I areas
Table 5.2 Comparison of Estimated Energy Consumption in 6 Surveyed DistrictsI Areas 72
Table 5.3 Comparison of Estimated LPD for shop front lighting installations in 6 Surveyed 74
Districts I Areas
Table 5.4 Estimated Potential Energy Saving (kWh) per annual in Scenario 1 The most 75
favourable (100% Implementation for the Measures)
Table5.5 Estimated Potential Energy Saving (kWh) per annual in Scenario 2 More 76
favourable (80% Implementation for the Measures)
Table 5.6 Estimated Potential Energy Saving (kWh) per annual in Scenario 3 Average (50% 76
Implementation for the Measures)
Table 5.7 Estimated Potential Energy Saving (kWh) per annual in Scenario 4 Less favourable
76 (20% Implementation for the Measures)
Table 6.1 Summary of current situation of light nuisance problems 79
Table 7.1 Recommendation of lighting environmental zones 85
Table 7.2 Recommended curfew hours for the 4 suggested lighting zones 86
Table 7.3 Parameters and limits for assessing light trespass extracted from CIE standard 86
Table 7.4 Limits for assessing light trespass with reference to the survey results in Central, 87
Causeway , Nathan Road and Sai Yeung Choi Street South
Table 7.5 Summary of proposed parameters and limits for assessing light trespass 88
Figures
Figure 2.1 Illustration of obtrusive light causing light trespass, glare and sky glow 11
Figure 2.2 Illuminance Ev , and luminous intensity Id 15
Figure 2.3 Definition of L and A for glare evaluation using L ·A0.5 21
Figure 2.4 Sky Brightness Nomogram 22

Figure 5.1 Bar Chart for Comparison of Estimated Energy Consumption in 6 Surveyed 73
DistrictsI Areas
Final Report v
Abbreviations
AO/PA Administration offices (industrial) or public activity (leisure) area

( 行政办公（工业）区/公共活动区)
AS Australian Standards
AS/NZS Australian/New Zealand Standards
BS British Standards
BS EN British Standards version of European Standards
CC Commercial Centre (商业中心区)
C&CRB Commercial & commercial/residential boundary
CIBSE Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineering
CIE Commission Internationale de l’Eclariage
(International Commission on Illumination)
DB Local (Municipal or Provincial) Standard of People's Republic of China
地方标准（中华人民共和国）
IDA International Dark-sky Association
IESNA Illuminating Engineering Society of North America
ILE The Institution of Lighting Engineers (UK). Currently named as The Institution
of Lighting Professionals (ILP).
ISO International Organization for Standardization
JGJ Trade Standard (Construction Industry) of People's Republic of China
中华人民共和国行业标准（建筑工业）
MOE-LPCG Ministry of the Environment Light Pollution Control Guideline (Japan)
MLO Model Lighting Ordinance
RDS Residential -dark surrounds
RE Residential Estate （居住小区）
RLS Residential - light surrounds
RPFI Residential premises facing inside of estate（面向小区内侧的住户）
RPFO Residential premises facing outside of estate （面向小区外侧的住户）

RPFS Residential premises adjacent to street （居住区临街侧）
RPNFS Residential premises not adjacent to street （居住区非临街侧）
SLL Society of Light and Lighting-a Society within the CIBSE
Final Report Vi
Key Symbols
Symbol Description
Eeye Illuminance on a plane perpendicular to the line of sight to the luminaire (due to a single
luminaire or a group of luminaires on the same pole)
Ev Vertical illuminance (due to all light sources) on a relevant surface (such as window or
facade) of residential premises for controlling illumination on surrounding properties
(light trespass).
h Luminaire height
Id Luminous intensity emitted by a luminaire towards the line of sight (apply to a single
luminaire)
m Magnitude, used to measure brightness of celestial body
L.A0.5 Luminaire's greatest (average) luminance (in cd/m2 ) in the direction between 85° and
90° from the downward vertical multiplying the square root of the light emitting surface
area of the luminaire (in m2 ) in the direction 90° from the downward vertical.
Lb Building facade luminance for controlling effects of over lit building facades. It is taken as the
product of the design average illuminance and reflectance factor divided by π.
Ls Sign luminance for controlling effects of over lit signs. It is taken as the product of the
design average illuminance and reflectance factor divided by π, or for self-luminous
signs, its average luminance.
Lv Veiling luminance. It is the luminance of scattered light in the background which reduces the
luminance contrast between the object and the background.
LPD Lighting power density in W/m2
TI Threshold increment, the measure of disability glare expressed as the percentage increase in
contrast required between an object and its background for it to be seen equally well with a
source of glare present.
ULR Upward light ratio
Final Report Vii

Executive Summary
Background
1. The Government has announced in the 2008/09 Policy Agenda that it plans to study
the issue of energy wastage of external lighting and assess the feasibility of
regulating external lighting. As such, a consultancy study has been commissioned by
the Government to survey the impacts of external lighting in representative districts/
areas in Hong Kong. Parsons Brinckerhoff (Asia) Ltd (PB) was commissioned by the
Government in 2009 to undertake the Survey on Impacts of External Lighting in Hong
Kong (the Study). This report summarises the key findings and recommendations of
the Study.
Objectives of the study
2. The objectives of the study were to:

(i) Identify and survey problems associated with external lighting in Hong
Kong; and
(ii) Recommend the approach and measures to address the problems associated
with external lighting in the surveyed districts/areas.
Scope of the study
3. To achieve the above objectives, the study consists of the following tasks:
(i) Application of relevant overseas experience in identifying and
measuring problems associated with external lighting;
(ii) Investigation of the local environment with respect to external lighting;
(iii) Survey on the external lighting conditions in Hong Kong;
(iv) Estimation of the energy consumption of external lighting in the surveyed
districts/areas; and
(v) Assessment of the extent of light nuisance problems in the surveyed
districts/areas.
4. The effects of external lighting on human health and effects of obtrusive light on
residents, road users and astronomical observations; and an account of the methods
and parameters used by overseas authorities and institutions for measuring and
assessing the impacts of external lighting on nuisance and energy efficiency are
reviewed.
5. The characteristics of external lighting in urban and new town areas and rural areas in
Hong Kong; and the parameters shortlisted for assessment of the impacts of external
lighting and the associated reference limiting values are summarized. Six
representative districts/areas were selected from a preliminary investigation in 23
districts / areas, using visual observation and photographic techniques, for the
detailed survey on external lighting conditions.
Final Report Page1

ConsultancyAgreement No.2C2TP09:
6. The detailed surveys of the external lighting conditions in the selected six
representative districts / areas include the following:-
(i) Measurements of parameters for the assessment of light nuisance and sky
glow caused by external lighting and energy consumption of external
lighting in the six selected districts/areas.
(ii) The energy consumption of external lighting are estimated as well as
approaches and measures for the improvement of energy wastage are also
proposed.
(iii) The potential extent of light nuisance problems caused by external lighting
are assessed and suggested approaches and measures to deal with these
potential light nuisance are proposed.
Review of parameters
7. In the review of relevant overseas experience in assessing the impacts of external

lighting, a number of parameters were found to be used by various overseas
institutions for measuring and assessing the impact of outdoor lighting concerning
light nuisance and sky glow. These are vertical illuminance at windows/facades,
luminous intensity, facade and sign luminance, threshold increment, limiting visual
magnitude, night sky brightness and Bortledark sky scale.
8. Parameters were also found to be used by various overseas institutions for assessing
the light emission properties of luminaires for controlling the impacts of outdoor
lighting with respect to light nuisance and sky glow. These in general include
luminous, intensity, maximum lumens and upward light ratio.
9. Parameters used for assessing the energy efficiency of outdoor lighting installations
include lamp efficacy, control gear loss, luminaire efficiency, light output ratio and
lighting power density.
Criteria of Selection
10. The selection criteria for representative districts / areas include

(i) Preliminary site investigation by visual observation and photographic
techniques to record the types, lighting conditions/characteristics,
perceived intensity of the external lightings (including facade or window
illuminance) to the affected residents.
(ii) Previous light nuisance records and complaints addressing in mass media as
reference;
(iii) Characteristics of external lighting such as dimensions, types, density,
height, angle, distance (from residents) and perceived intensity of external
lighting, and the perceived intensity to the affected residents.
11. The following six representative districts / areas were selected out of the
preliminarily shortlisted 23 districts/areas for the detailed survey of external lighting
characteristics and potential problems caused by external lighting:
(i) Shun Lee Estate (a public housing estate) (Kwun Tong), urban residential
(ii) DesVoeuxRoad Central /Chater Road(Central),urban commercial
(iii) Paterson Street / Great George Street (Causeway Bay), urban residential-
cum-commercial
Final Report Page2

(iv) Nathan Road /Sai Yeung Choi Street (Mongkok), urban residential-cum-
commercial
(v) Yan King Road/Kai King Road(PoLam, Tseung Kwan O),new town
(vi) Clear Water Bay Country Park with nearby villages, Tai Hang Hau
and Tai Wan Tau (Sai Kung),rural
Approach for Site Measurements
12. With the support of the sub-consultant, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
(HKPU), we conducted and analyzed site detail measurement for the external
lighting in the selected 6 survey districts/areas to assess the extent of light nuisance
and energy consumption issue due to impacts of external lighting.
13. The measurement of vertical illuminance on facade/windows was carried out by high
dynamic range (HDR) imaging method using a digital camera. This method was used
because of the relatively fast measurement of a large number of residential units
without entering the residential units. Sign luminance and facade luminance were also
taken by the HDR imaging method. Due to the difficulty of accessing residential
units, glare caused by bright luminaires was estimated at several typical locations by
using photometric data of similar types of luminaires. The energy consumption of
external lighting luminaires and signs was surveyed by estimating the wattages of
lamps and the hours of operation. The lighting power density (LPD) of signs were
also surveyed and estimated for comparison among the survey districts / areas.
Results of the study
14. Based on the survey measurement findings, the current situations of sign luminance
(cd/m2) were insignificant with reference to International Commission on
Illumination (CIE)'s standard in the 6 surveyed districts/areas. The energy wastage of
external lighting is insignificant due to the luminance factor of individual signs. By
detail survey result, it was found that many light fittings at Paterson Street / Great
George Street in Causeway Bay and at Des Voeux Road Central/Chater Road
(Central) were still switched on after business hour and when not in use. But the
situations with long operation hour of external lighting at night were uncommon
in other surveyed areas. Types of most light fittings were low efficacy
tungsten halogen and electromagnetic ballasted fluorescent tube for externally and
internally illuminated signs respectively. These two factors are the main sources
of energy wastage.
15. According to the estimate of LPD in surveyed districts/areas, LPD in W/m2 for most
internally and externally illuminated signs appeared on high side as compared to the
limiting values recommended by California Building Energy Efficiency Standard
(CBEES). However, the CBEES may not be directly applied to Hong Kong in view
of the more densely populated urban area, higher building densities, higher ambient
light level and different business and social background. A comparison study of the
energy consumption of external lighting was conducted in the 6 selected districts /
areas together with an analysis of the energy saving potential of several different
energy saving measures.
Final Report Page3
16. Possible energy saving measures (such as turning off unnecessary external lighting at
night, using high efficiency luminaires and high efficacy lamp) to reduce energy
consumption of external lighting are suggested for each of the six surveyed districts/
areas.
17. Results of the survey show that the situation related to light trespass impacts as
identified in the study as a whole are considered not that significant except at Nathan
Road and Sai Yeung Choi Street in Mongkok especially in the post-curfew1 hours. The
major light nuisance problem is light trespass assessed by vertical illuminance on
windows due to the following situations.
(i) External lightings were still switched on even after business hours.
(ii) Some floodlights used for signs were at upward position and inappropriately
aim lighting fixtures or symmetrical lightings were used to create spill light.
(iii) Locations of signs were very close to residential units.
(iv) Spill light were created by non cut-off lights for pole mounted security/
footpath lighting.
18. The light nuisance problem, glare at residential units and over-bright sign at the
surveyed areas are also summarized as the following table. The most significant of light
trespass problem is Sai Yeung Choi Street in Mongkok where the density of signs is
very high and residential units are in close proximity to the signs. The following various
measures are suggested to improve the current existing situations related to the light
nuisance in the 6 surveyed districts/areas due to existing external lighting:-
(i) To educate or encourage residents and office / shop operators to switch off
lights that are not used and to adopt a curfew time for turning off or
dimming down the lights at night when not in use and after business hours.
(ii) Aim (or use asymmetrical luminaire) or shield lighting fixtures to target
areas and downwards as far as practicable to reduce spill light.
(iii) Control the sizes / locations of advertising signs with reference to Buildings
Department's Guide on Erection & Maintenance of Advertising Signs.
(iv) Use cut-off lights for security lighting/footpath lighting.
1 Curfew as used in some international standards (e.g. CIE) is the time after which stricter requirements for the
control of obtrusive light The period of darkness is subdivided into the 'evening' (pre-curfew time) when higher light
levels are acceptable and the 'night ' (post-curfew time) when only essential lighting should be operated for purposes
such as maintenance of amenity and environmental integrity and for safety, security and overnight commercial
activities in some cases.
Final Report Page4
Areas Light trespass Light trespass Glare at Over-

Location of
Item environmental at pre-curfew at postcurfew residential bright
Surveyed area zone time time units sign
Urban
Shun Lee Estate Quite
1 Residential Insignificant(1) No No
(Kwun Tong) significant
Area
Des Voeux Road
Commercial Not that
2 Central/ Chater Insignificant No No
Area significant
Road (Central)
Paterson StreetI Commercial
Great George -cum Not that
3 Insignificant No No
Street residential significant
(Causeway Bay) Area
Nathan Road Not that
Commercial Significant Yes No
(Mongkok) significant
-cum
4
Sai Yeung Choi residential
Very Yes (4
Street South Area Significant Yes
significant nos.
(Mongkok)
spotted)
Yan King RoadI

Kai King Road New Town
5 Insignificant Insignificant No No
(Po Lam, Tseung Area
Kwan O)
Clear Water Bay
Country Park with
nearby villages, Quite
6 Rural Area Insignificant No No
Tai Hang Hau and significant
Tai Wan Tau
(SaiKung)
Remark
1) Benchmark to classify light trespass impacts forsake of comparison among the surveyed area are listed as follows
Light Trespass Impact Major Criteria % of residents having light trespassover CIE standards at pre-curfew or at
post-curfew)
Insignificant Below 20%
Notthat significant 20% to below 40%
Quite Significant 40% to below 60%
Significant 60% to below 80%
Very Significant 80% &above
Conclusion & Recommendation
19. The Study concluded that energy wastage and light nuisance were considered not
that significant except for some isolated spots, such as Sai Yeung Choi Street in
Mongkok. A voluntary approach with reference guidelines may be more appropriate
to deal with the current situation and the proposed guidelines should focus on both
light nuisance and energy conservation aspects.
20. Based on overseas experience and the survey results in the six representative
districts / areas in Hong Kong, it is suggested to encourage owners of the lighting to
adopt a curfew system in various lighting environmental zoning similar to those
given in overseas guidelines to deal with the problems of external lighting. The
lighting environmental zoning concept, however, should be carefully applied taking
into account the local context. It is also suggested that the following list of
parameters could be suitable for use in measuring and assessing light nuisance
causedby external lighting of external lighting in Hong Kong. Based onthe survey
Final Report Page5

results, limiting values of these parameters are suggested for reference when
considering to assess quantitatively the impacts of external. lighting in Hong Kong.
(i) Vertical illuminance at windows of residential premises
(ii) Luminous intensity of luminaires in direction of residential premises
(iii) Building facade luminance
(iv) Sign luminance
21. As a first stage to deal with the problems due to external. lighting in the surveyed
districts/areas, a set of good practices guidelines with a view to limiting the impacts
of external lighting on the general public could be developed to encourage voluntary
compliance with the guidelines through publicity and education. Some kind of
voluntary charter could be promoted in the community to encourage developers,
property management companies, shops to implement the guidelines.
22. If the relevant parameter (s) of a lighting installation subject to complaint is found
not complying with the guidelines and the owner(s) of the lighting device can be
identified, recommendations can be given to the owner(s) to improve the lighting
installation.
23. To deal with the problematic spots identified from the 6 surveyed areas, a voluntary
approach with reference guidelines may be more appropriate. And the stakeholders
are encouraged to switch off unnecessary lightings at night for minimizing the light
nuisance and preventing energy wastage of outdoor lighting through education and
publicity campaigns.
24. A review should be conducted after a few years of implementation of the voluntary
external lighting guidelines. The review may include the experience of
implementation of the voluntary outdoor lighting guidelines and the effectiveness of
the guidelines in reducing the adverse impacts of outdoor lighting installations.
Overseas experience concerning outdoor lighting control should also be reviewed as
appropriate to keep our reference materials up-to-date.
Final Report Page6

1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
1.1.1 Parsons Brinckerhoff (Asia) Ltd was commissioned by the Government in 2009
to undertake the Consultancy Services for Survey on Impacts of External Lighting
in Hong Kong.
1.1.2 The Government has announced in the 2008/09 Policy Agenda that it plans to
study the issue of energy wastage of external lighting and assess the feasibility of
regulating external lighting. As such, a consultancy study has been commissioned
by the Government to survey the impacts of external lighting in representative
districts/areas in Hong Kong.
1.2 Objectives of Study

1.2.1 The main objectives of the study are to:
(i) identify and survey problems associated with external lighting in Hong
Kong; and
(ii) recommend the approach and measures to address the problems associated
with external lighting in the surveyed districts/areas.
1.2.2 The study consists of the followings defined to achieve the above two objectives,
which include the followings:
(i) to apply overseas standards in identifying and measuring problems
associated with external lighting.
(ii) to investigate the local environment with respect to external lighting.
(iii) to survey the external lighting conditions in Hong Kong.
(iv) to estimate the energy consumption of external lighting in the surveyed
districts/areas.
(v) to assess the extent of light nuisance problems in the surveyed districts/areas
1.3 Scope of Study

1.3.1 Information collation from overseas practice and experience
The study includes an extensive literature research and review the information
from international publications and organizations (such as CIE, IESNA,IDA, ILE,
Standardization Administration of China (SAC), Japan Ministry of the
Environment) on methods and parameters used for measuring and assessing the
impact of external lighting with particular emphasis on those that may be
applicable to Hong Kong. Parameters and limiting values used for assessing both
energy efficiency of external lighting and the effects on residents were explored
with the purpose of establishing the most suitable methods for Hong Kong and to
be used in this study.
Final Report Page7

Consultancy Agreement No. 2C2TP09:
1.3.2 Selection of survey districts/areas
Six representative districts/areas will be selected for detailed survey of external
lighting problems. The six representative districts/areas will cover the following
district types/categories:
(a) 1 urban residential district,
(b) 1 urban commercial district,
(c) 2 urban residential-cum-commercial district,
(d) 1 new town district, and
(e) 1 rural area or country park.
1.3.3 The study covers the review of overseas standards in dealing with and regulating
the impacts of external lighting in the following 6 representative surveyed
districts/areas:
(a) Shun Lee Estate (a public housing estate) (Kwun Tong), urban residential
(b) Des Voeux Road Central/ ChaterRoad(Central), urban commercial
(c) Paterson Street / Great George Street (Causeway Bay), urban residential-
cum-commercial
(d) Nathan Road /Sai Yeung Choi Street (Mongkok), urban residential-cum-
commercial
(e) Yan King Road/ Kai King Road (Po Lam, Tseung Kwan O), new town
(f) Clear Water Bay Country Park with nearby villages, Tai Hang Hau and Tai
Wan Tau (Sai Kung), rural
1.3.4 The above-mentioned 6 surveyed districts/areas are selected from the
preliminarily shortlisted 23 districts / areas by means of visual observation in site
investigation and photographic techniques on external lighting conditions. The
criteria of selection also include previous light nuisance records and complaints
addressing in mass media and in comparison with the external light installation
related to light nuisance such as dimensions, types, density, height, angle, distance
(from residents) and perceived intensity of external lighting (facade or window
illuminance) to the affected residents.
1.3.5 In the study, external lighting includes, but not limited to, signs (advertising or
non-advertising,standalone or onbuilding facades, self-luminous or illuminated),
lighting for building facades and features, lighting outside buildings, shops,
restaurants, other public entertainment venues, lighting for sports fields and
permanent external video structures. Lighting emitted from building through facades
to the outside environment will also be included.
1.3.6 External lighting in this study excludes road lighting, lighting at public transport
interchange or terminus, airport and container port, air and marine traffic lighting,
lighting of construction sites, and lighting of which the operation is of transient
nature.
1.3.7 Recommendations for action
By taking into account results of the survey, local and overseas practice, cost
effective mitigation measures are recommended. The measures include engineering
technical mitigation measures and management controls.
Final Report Page 8

1.4 Methodology
This study adopts a desktop research and site surveys and measurement. Surveys
are conducted to measure and assess the external lighting conditions and one of the
representative areas in urban / residential-cum-commercial category, Nathan Road/
Sai Yeung Choi Street (Mongkok) has been firstly picked out to work out a
practical methodology / approach and model workflow for the site surveys. The
methodology then generally applies to all other selected urban and new town
districts / areas.
1.5 Structure of Reporting

In addition to this Introduction Chapter which gives the background, objective
and methodology of the study, the report consists of the following chapters:-
Chapter 2: Review of overseas experience in identifying and measuring

problems associated with external lighting
gives a brief discussion on relevant parameters, standards and
thresholds for measuring and assessing the impacts of external
lighting in Hong Kong.
Chapter 3: Investigation of the local environment with respect to external
lighting
summarizes the characteristics of urban and new town areas and
rural areas in Hong Kong with respect to external lighting. Then,
the review of the impacts of external lighting in different districts/
areas will be discussed. Finally, a summary of the parameters for
assessment of impacts of external lighting and the associated
acceptable thresholds will be given.
Chapter 4: Survey of the external lighting conditions in Hong Kong
describes the methodology to adopt parameters to be measured in
conducting site impact assessment and summarizes survey findings
on the external lighting situation of 6 selected districts/areas.
Chapter5: Estimation of energy consumption of external lightings in
surveyed districts/areas
summarizes energy consumption and potential energy saving of the
external lighting in 6 selected districts/areas. The approach and
measures to deal with energy wastage of external lighting in the
surveyed districts/areas based on the survey findings are included.
Chapter6: Assessment of the extent of light nuisance problems in surveyed
districts/areas
summarizes the intensity and distribution of light nuisance
problems due to the external lighting in 6 selected districts/areas.
The approach and measures to deal with light nuisance based on the
survey findings are included.
Final Report Page9

Chapter 7: Conclusion and recommendation

gives proposed way forward to cope with the problematic spots
indentified from surveyed areas, the recommended practice for
measuring and assessing the impacts of external lighting m surveyed
areas of Hong Kong and recommendation of implementation.
Final Report Page10

2 REVIEW OF OVERSEAS EXPERIENCE IN IDENTIFYING AND
MEASURIG PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH EXTERNAL
LIGHTING
2.1 Obtrusive Light Effects of External Lighting

2.1.1 The term obtrusive light is used by CIE and many other authorities and national
and professional organizations to mean the following:
Spill light which because of quantitative, directional or spectral attributes in a given
context, gives rise to annoyance, discomfort, distraction or a reduction in the ability
tosee essential information.
2.1.2 It must be noted that the IESNA uses this definition for the term 'light trespass' to
include the effects described in 2.1.4.1 and 2.1.4.2 below but excluding the sky
glow effect described in 2.1.4.3.
2.1.3 It is now generally agreed that effects on human societies due to obtrusive light
from external lighting installations include effects on residents, road users and
astronomical observers. The effects are illustrated in Figure 2.1.
Figure 2.1 - Illustration of obtrusive light causing light trespass, glare and sky
glow.
Final Report Page 11

2.1.4 The following list of effects is grouped with reference to the Hong Kong context.
2.1.4.1 Effects on residents
(i) Light trespass:
This includes the effects due to spill light entering a residential premises,
e.g. house, apartment unit, hotel, hostel, hospital ward, etc, during the
hours of darkness. The spill light may cause annoyance, stress, discomfort
and reduced sleep quality, etc. The commonly used term to describe this
obtrusive light effect is 'Light trespass' although sometimes this term may
have wider meanings including the effects of glare from bright light
sources and signs.
(ii) Glare from bright luminaires:
Glare is caused by the direct view of bright luminaires from normal
viewing directions causing annoyance, distraction or discomfort. CIE and
many other authorities assess this effect separately from the general effects
of light trespass although glare may also be caused by spill light entering
the resident's premises.
(iii) Glare from over-lit building facades and over-bright signs and billboards:
Other than causing light trespass,over-lit building facades and over-bright
signs and billboards close to residential wilts can also cause glare to
residents.
2.1.4.2 Effect on road users

(i) Glare:
Effects on road users (e.g. motorists, cyclists, pedestrians) normally
involve a reduction of visibility of objects caused by disability glare from
bright light sources. The apparent contrast of objects against their
backgrounds will be lowered, rendering them less visible or even invisible,
especially if the environment is intrinsically dark. The magnitude of the
effect will depend on the level of lighting to which the user is adapted.
2.1.4.3 Effect on astronomical observers

(i) Sky glow:
Sky glow is the brightening of the night sky that results from the
reflection of radiation (visible and non-visible), scattered from the
constituents of the atmosphere (gas molecules, aerosols and particulate
matter), in the direction of observation. Sky glow actually occurs
naturally due to radiation from celestial sources and luminescent
processes in the Earth's upper atmosphere. Light from outdoor lighting
installations, including light emitting directly upwards and light
reflected from the ground, contribute to sky glow significantly if not
controlled adequately. The effect of sky glow caused by outdoor
lighting is often called 'light pollution' although the term can have a
wider meaning to include all adverse effects of light at night.
Final Report Page12

2.1.4.4 Impacts of external lighting on energy consumption

1. External lighting installations consume energy. Hence, excessive and
inappropriate use of external lighting produces an impact on energy consumption.
The energy consumed in producing the obtrusive light can be considered to be
wasted since the obtrusive light is unwanted. But the energy wastage is difficult to
be quantified. Energy efficient outdoor lighting can reduce CO2 emission and thus
contributes to the reduction of the greenhouse effect.
2. Energy consumption of external lighting installations depends on the type of

lamps and control gear used, the efficiency (or light output ratio) of the
luminaires, the time of operation as well as the level of illumination.
2.2 Methods and Parameters used for Measuring and Assessing the Impact of
External Lighting
2.2.1 Introduction
CIE and some overseas authorities and organizations have recommended methods for
the measurement and quantitative assessment of the effects due to obtrusive light
from external lighting described in section 2.1 above. The methods include
environmental zoning, establishment of curfew hour and specifying limits of relevant
light technical parameters. The methods recommended by the following
organizations/authorities will be reviewed and summarized:
(i) International Commission on Illumination (CIE) Illuminating
(ii) Engineering Society of North America (IESNA)
(iii) International Dark-sky Association (IDA)
(iv) The Institution of Lighting Engineers (UK) (ILE)
(v) Standardization Administration of China (SAC)
(vi) Japan Ministry of the Environment
2.2.2 Lighting Environmental Zoning
Existence of commercial and recreational activities at night and the levels at which
these activities are conducted at night are very different in different areas. In order to
get a balance between people who desire to enjoy nighttime activities and people who
wants a dark night environment, CIE and many overseas authorities and organizations
have recommended lighting environmental zoning systems for specifying limits of
the lighting parameters used to assess the environmental impact of external lighting.
Final Report Page13

2.2.2.1 CIE Zoning System

CIE (CIE-126: 1997 & CIE-150:2003) recommends the use of four environmental
zones to classify the surrounding environment according to the prevailing brightness
of the environment. A description of these four zones is given in Table 2.1.
Table2.1-Classificationof environmental zones for external lighting

Zone Surrounding Lighting Environment Examples
El Natural Intrinsically dark National parks or protected
sites
E2 Rural Low district brightness Industrial or residential rural
areas
Medium district
E3 Suburban brightness Industrial or residential suburbs
High district Town centres and
E4 Urban commercial areas
brightness
2.2.3 Curfew
2.2.3.1 In order to get a balance between people who desire to enjoy nighttime activities
during early part of the night and people who want to rest in a dark environment at the
later part of the night, limits for restricting obtrusive light do not need to be equally
stringent at all times. Therefore, the concept of ‘curfew’ has been introduced and
adopted in major recommendations for control of obtrusive light. Curfew is the time
after which stricter requirements for the control of obtrusive light apply. The period
of darkness is subdivided into the ‘evening’ (pre-curfew time) when higher light
levels are acceptable and the ‘night’ (post-curfew time) when only essential lighting
should be operated for purposes such as maintenance of amenity and environmental
integrity and for safety and security.
2.2.3.2 Curfew
is used by CIE in recommendations on obtrusive light limits and the
authorities and organizations adopting the CIE recommendations. IESNA, Australian
Standard, ILE of UK, Beijing and Shanghai Municipal Standards and the China
Construction Industry Standard all use curfew for specifying obtrusive light limits.
2.2.3.3 CIE rec ommends the curfew hour to be taken as 23:00 hours unless otherwise
specified by the controlling authority. Post-curfew hours should be taken as being
between 23:00 and 06:00 hours, unless otherwise specified by the controlling
authority.
Final Report Page14

2.2.4 Parameters and limiting values used for assessing the effects on residents
2.2.4.1 Light trespass
The light trespass effects depend, in general, on the amount of light entering an
otherwise dark residential interior. The following parameters are recommended by
various authorities and organizations. These parameters, the relevant standards/
guidelines, the application conditions and the recommended limits for various
environmental zones are given in Table 2.2.
(i) Vertical illuminance (Ev) on relevant surfaces, e.g. windows, of

residential premises from all lighting installations. This is used by:
• CIE(CIE150:2003)
• ILE(GN01:2005)
• Australian Standard (AS4282-1997)
• Shanghai Municipal Standard (DB31/T 316-2004)
• Beijing Municipal Standard (DB 11/T 388-2006)
• China Construction Industry Standard (JGJ/T 163-2008)
• Japan Ministry of the Environment Light Pollution Control
Guidelines (MOE-LPCG)
The CIE limits were the results of many years work by a CIE Technical
Committee TC5.12 on obtrusive light. The ILE and China standards adopt
the CIE recommendation for this assessment. The Australian Standard,
published earlier than the CIE obtrusive light guidelines, uses the same
parameter but with recommendations of slightly different limits. Figure 2.2
shows diagrammatically the meaning of Ev. Table 2.2 gives the
recommended limits of Ev for control of light trespass.
Figure 2.2 Illuminance Ev and luminous intensity Id
Final Report Page15

Table 2.2 -Light technical parameters and limits for the assessment of light
trespass
Light
Standards/ Application Environmental Zones and
Technical
Codes Conditions Recommended Limits
Parameter
CIE 150:2003 E1 E2 E3 E4
ILE GN01:2005
Pre-curfew 2 lx 5 lx 10 lx 25 lx
China
JGJ/T 163
2008 Post- 2)
0 lx 1 lx 2 lx 5 lx
Japan MOE-LPCG curfew
3) 3) 3)
RDS RLS C&CRB
Vertical Australian
Pre-curfew 10 lx 10 lx 25 lx
illuminance standard
(Ev ) I) AS4282- 1997 Post-
1lx 2 lx 4 lx
curfew
4)
RPFI RPFO 4)
Shanghai DB31/
Evening 25 lx 50 lx
TI16-2004
After 23:00 4 lx 25 lx
RPNAS 3) RPAS 3)
Beijing
Before
DB11/1388 10 lx 25 lx
23:00
2006
After 23:00 2 lx 5 lx
TIIuminance E1 E2 E3 E4
on a plane
perpendicular to Pre-curfew l lx 3 lx 8 lx 15 lx
the line of sight IESNA
to the RP-33-99 &
luminaires TM-11-00
Post- 0 lx 7) l lx 3 lx 6 lx
(Eeye) 6)
curfew
Notes:
1) Limits apply to nearby dwellings, or potential dwellings, more specifically to their relevant surfaces or
parts of surfaces, especially where windows are. The values are the summation of all lighting installations.
2) If the luminaire is for-public (road) lighting then this value may be upto 1 lx.
3) RDS =Residential -dark surrounds, RLS =Residential -light surrounds, C&CRB = Commercial &
commercial/residential boundary.
4) RPF1 = Residential premises facing inside of estate (面向小区内侧的住户); RPFO = Residential premises
facing outside of estate (面向小区外侧的住户).
5) RPNFS = Residential premises not adjacent to street (居住区非临街侧); RPFS =Residential premises
adjacent to street (居住区临街侧)
6) Limits apply to individual luminaire ortogroup of luminaires on a pole.
7) Where safety and security are issues, nighttime lighting is needed. Such lighting should meet IESNA
recommendations for the particular property being lighted. Lighting should be designed, however, to
minimize light trespass.
8) The lux (lx) is the SIbaseunit ofilluminance; that is, "density'' of light incidenton a surface.
(ii) Illuminance on a plane perpendicular to the line of sight to the luminaire

(Eeye), individually assessed for a single luminaire or a group of luminaires on
a pole. This is used by:
• IESNA
IESNA uses only one parameter to measure and assess the effects of
light trespass which include nuisance due to light entering a premises,
glare due to directly viewed luminaires, building facades and signs.

2.2.4.2 Glare from bright light sources,building facades and signs

The effect due to bright light sources is sometimes included in light trespass, e.g. by
IESNA, and assessed by the same parameter as given for IESNA in Table 2.3.
However, the bright light sources contribute to the vertical illuminance on windows
as well as producing glare when the light sources are directly viewed. Hence, it is
more appropriate to assess the effect of glare separately.
CIE and several other authorities and organizations recommend the use of luminous
intensity or luminance of surfaces for the assessment of the effect of glare on
residents. Besides, CIE classifies the effects due to brightly lit building facades and
over bright signs in a category ‘effects on sightseers’. In Hong Kong, brightly lit
facades and over bright signs have more impact on residents therefore, their
assessment parameters are included in this section.
The following parameters are recommended by various authorities and

organizations.
(i) Luminous intensity emitted by luminaires (Id) in directions where views of
bright surfaces of luminaires are likely to be troublesome to residents, from
positions where such views are likely to be maintained, i.e. not where
momentary or short-term viewing isinvolved. This is used by:
• CIE (CIE 150:2003)
• ILE (GN01:2005)
• Shanghai Municipal Standard (DB31/T316-2004)
• Beijing Municipal Standard (DB 11/T388-2006)
• ChinaConstruction Industry Standard (JGJ/T 163-2008)
• Japan Ministry of the Environment Light Pollution Control
Guidelines (MOE-LPCG)
(ii) Building facade luminance (Lb) which is taken as the product of the design
average illuminance and reflectance factor divided by π. This is used by:
• CIE (CIE 150:2003)
• ILE (GN01:2005)
• Japan Ministry of the Environment Light Pollution Control Guidelines
(MOE-LPCG)
(iii) Sign luminance (Ls) which is taken, for illuminated signs, as the product of
the design average illuminance and reflectance factor divided by π, or for
self-luminous signs, its average luminance. This is used by:
• CIE (CIE 150:2003)
• ILE (GN01:2005)
• China Construction Industry Standard (JG/T 163-2008)
• Japan Ministry of the Environment Light Pollution Control Guidelines
(MOE-LPCG)
Final Report Page17

(iv) Illuminance on a plane perpendicular to the line of sight to the luminaire

(Eeye), individually assessed for a single luminaire or a group of luminaires
on a pole. This is used by:
• IESNA
As already noted above, IE SNA uses only one parameter to measure and
assess the effects of light trespass which include nuisance due to light
entering a premises, glare due to directly viewed luminaires, building
facades and signs.
Table 2.3- Light technical parameters and limits for the assessment of the effect
ofglareonresidents duetobright luminaires, building facades and signs
Light
Standards/ Application Environmental Zones and
Technical
Parameter
CIE 150:2003 E1 E2 E3 E4
ILE GN01:2005 Pre-curfew 2500 cd 7500 cd 10000 cd 25000 cd
China
JGJ/T 163-20082)
Luminous Post-curfew 0 cd3) 500 cd 1000 cd 2500 cd
intensity Japan MOE-LPCG
4)
emitted by Australian RDS RLS4) C&CRB 4)
luminaires Standard Pre-curfew See Table 2.3(a)
(Id) in AS4282-1997 Post-curfew 500 cd 1000 cd 2500 cd
designated Shanghai RPFI 5) RPFO 5)
directionsI) DB31/T316-2004 Evening 7500 cd 7500 cd
2)
After23:00 1000 cd 2500 cd
RPNAS6) RPAS 6)
Beijing
Before 23:00 2500 cd 7500 cd
DB11/T388-2006
After23:00 1000 cd 2500 cd
CIE 150:2003 E1 E2 E3 E4
Building ILE GN01:2005
All times 0 cd/m2 5 cd/m2 10 cd/m2 25 cd/m2
facade Japan MOE-LPCG
luminance
(Lb) China
Large city - 5 cd/m2 10 cd/m2 25 cd/m2
JGJ/T163-20087) Medium city - 4 cd/m2 8 cd/m2 20 cd/m2
Small city - 3 cd/m2 6cd/m2' 15 cd/m2
CIE 150:2003 E1 E2 E3 E4
Pre-curfew 2
50 cd/m 1000
ILE GN01:2005 400 cd/m2 800 cd/m2
Post-curfew 0 cd/m
2 cd/m2
China Limits do not apply to signs for traffic control. The use of signs in corporating lighting
JGJ/T163-2008 which is cyclic or flashing in nature is deprecated in zooes E1 and E2. In any zones
such signs should not be positioned close to windows of habitable rooms.
Japan MOE-LPCG
RE8) AO/PA 8) CC8)
Sign 1000
S≤5 (m )
2
100cd/m2 400 cd/m2
luminance Shanghai cd/m2
2
(Ls) DB31/T316-2004 0.5<S≤2 (m ) 80 cd/m2 320 cd/m2 800 cd/m2
2
2<S≤10 (m ) 60 cd/m2 240 cd/m2 600 cd/m2
S>10 (m"') 40 cd/m2 160 cd/m2 400 cd/m2
E1 E2 E3 E4
1000
S≤5 (m )
2
50 cd/m2 400 cd/m2 800 cd/m2
cd/m2
China 0.5<S≤2 (m ) 2
40 cd/m2 300 cd/m2 600 cd/m2 800 cd/m2
JGJJ/T 163-20089) 2
2<S≤10 (m ) 30cd/m2 250 cd/m2 450 cd/m2 600 cd/m2
S>10 (m )
2 -- 150 cd/m2 300 cd/m2 400 cd/m2
Illuminance E1 E2 E3 E4
on a plane IESNA Pre-curfew 1lx 3lx 8lx 15 lx
perpendicular RP-33-99 &
to the line of TM-11-00 Post-curfew 0 lxll) 1 lx 3 lx 6 lx
sight(Eeye)10)
Final Report Page18

Notes:
1) Limits apple to each luminaire in directions where views of bright surfaces of luminaires are likely to be troublesome to
residents, from positions where such views are likely to be maintained, i.e. not where momentary or short-term v viewing
is involved.
2) If the directly seen luminaires are flashing, the luminous intensity should be half of the given limits.
3) If the luminaire is for public (road) lighting then this value may be up to 500 cd.
4) RDS =Residential-dark surrounds; RLS=Residential -light surrounds; C&CRB =Commercial &commercial/
residential boundary.
5) RPFT = Residential premises facing inside of estate(面向小区内侧的住户);RPFO = Residential premises facing
outside of estate (面向小区外侧的住户)
6) RPNFS = Residential premises not adjacent to street (居住区非临街侧); RPFS =Residential premises adjacent to
street (居住区临街侧)
7) Large city = non-agricultural population > 500000; Medium = population 200000-500000; Small = population <
200000.
8) RE = Residential estate (居住小区);AO/PA =Administration offices (industrial) or public activity area (行政办公(工
业）区/公共活动区); CC = Commercial centre(商业中心区)
9) Apart from adopting the CIE limits, China JGJ/T163-2008 recommends stricter limits for signs larger than 0.5 m2.
10) IESNA treats glare from luminaires as part of the effects of light trespass which is assessed by one single parameter.
11) Limits apply to individual luminaire or to group of luminaires on a pole.
12) The candela (cd) is the SI base unit of luminous intensity; that is, power emitted by a light source in a particular
direction.
Table 2.3(a)-Maximum luminous intensity per luminaire for pre-

curfew operating times specified in Australian Standard AS4282-1997
Maximum luminous intensity from each
Area description luminaire 1)
2)
Size of area Controlling dimension Level 1control Level 2 control 3)
Large > 75 m 7,500 cd 100,000 cd
Medium ≥25m≤75 m 7,500 cd 50,000 cd
Small <25 m 2,500 cd 25,000cd
Notes to Table 2.3(a)
1) Limits apply to each luminaire (irrespective of the number on a head frame) in the principle plane, for all angles at
and above the control direction (10° below horizontal for controlling dimension < 25m; 7° below horizontal for
controlling dimension ≥25 m),when aimed in accordance with theinstallation design.
2) Environmentally sensitive areas, i.e. where the existing environment is of high quality, where abutting properties are
close to the installation, where they are residential in nature, where the existing ambient light levels are low and where
the community requires the best available environmental safeguards to be applied.
3) Level 2 control will permit the use of a wide range of currently used lighting techniques but will limit intensities in the
control direction to what might reasonably be expected by careful attention to design and the selection and aiming of
luminaires.
Final Report Page19

2.2.5 Parameters and Limiting Values used for Assessing the Effects on Road Users
2.2.5.1 Disability glare on all road users (drivers, cyclists, pedestrians)
Road users (also called transport system users in CIE 150:2003 and in Australian
Standard AS4282-1997) include drivers of all kinds of vehicles, cyclists and
pedestrians. Effects on road users normally involve a reduction in the ability to
see caused by disability glare from bright light sources. The apparent contrast of
objects against their backgrounds will be lowered, rendering them less visible or
even invisible, especially if the environment is dark. The magnitude of the effect
will depend on the level of lighting to which the user is adapted. The parameter
recommended for the assessment of the glare effect on road users due to external
lighting which is not road lighting is the threshold increment (TI), which is the
same parameter used to specify the limitation of glare in road lighting by CIE and
many other authorities including Highways Department, of the HKSAR
Government.
Table2.4-Light technical parameter and limits for the assessment of disability

glare on road users
Light
Standards/ Application
Technical Recommended Limits1)
Codes Conditions
Parameter
CIE 150:2003 Road classification2)
No road M5 M4/M3 M2/M1
ILE GN01:2005
lighting ME5 ME4/ME3 ME2/ME1
China 15% 15% 15% 15%
JGJ/T 163-2008 based on based on based on based on
3) Limits apply
adaptation adaptation adaptation adaptation
at all times
Threshold Japan MOE- luminance luminance luminance luminance
increment LPCG of 0.1 cd/m2 of 1 cd/m2 of 2 cd/m2 of 5 cd/m2
(TI) Environmental zone
RDS4) RLS4) C&CRB4)
Australian 20% 20% 20%
Standard based on based on based on
AS4282-1997 Limits apply
adaptation adaptation adaptation
at all times
luminance luminance luminance
of 0.l cd/m2 of l cd/m2 of l0 cd/m2
Notes:
1)Limits apply where users of transport systems are subject to a reduction in the ability to see essential information Values
given are for relevant positions and for viewing directions in the path of travel.
2)Road Classifications as given in CIE 115-1995 (M1-M5) or in BS EN 13201-2:2003(ME1-ME5)(seeTable 2.4(a))
3) JGJ/T 163-2008 uses a statement in the code requiring a TI limit of 15% without specifying the adaptation luminance and then
refers to the CIE road classification in the explanation attached at the end of the code.
4) RDS =Resida1tial -dark surrounds; RLS =Residential-light surrounds; C&CRB=Commercial&commercial/
residential boundary.
Table 2.4(a) -Road lighting classes and minimum maintained average road
surface luminance(CIE 115:1995;BSEN 13210-2:2003; HKSAR HyD Public
Lighting Design Manual)
Road lighting class Minimum maintained road
CIE BSEN HKSAR HyD surface luminance (cd/m2)
Ml MEl Ll 2.0
M2 ME2 L2 1.5
M3 ME3 L3 1.0
M4 ME4 L4 0.75
M5 ME5 L5 0.5
Final Report Page20

2.2.5.2 Discomfort glare on pedestrians
CIE-136:2000 introduces a new approach to discomfort glare assessment for low
mounted luminaires, up to approximately 7m, where the risk exists when
pedestrians are looking straight into the luminaires. This approach is based on a
parameter defined as the product of L and A0 5 , where L is the luminair’s greatest
(average) luminance (in cd/m2) in the direction between 85° and 90° from the
downward vertical and A is the light emitting surface area of the luminaire (in m)2
in the direction 90° from the downward vertical. (See Figure 2.3). CIE-136:2000
mentions that little practical experience with this new approach to assess glare has
so far been obtained, therefore relatively high limiting values of glare are
recommended. This approach is adopted by the Shanghai Municipal Standard
DB31/T316-2004 and the China JGJ Standard JGJ/T 163-2008 using the same
limiting values.
Figure 2.3 Definition of L and A for glare evaluation using L•A0.5
Table2.5-Light technical parameter andlimits for the assessment of discomfort
glare on road users (mainly pedestrians and cyclists).

Light
Standards/ Application Luminaire Height h (m) and
Technical
Parameter
CIE 136:2000 h≤4.5 4.5<h≤6 h>6
China
L·A05 JGJ/T 163-2008 Limits apply
4000 cd/m 5500 cd/m 7000 cd/m
Shanghai DB31/ at all times
T316-2004 .
Note. L is the luminaire’s greatest (average) luminance (in cd/m2) in the direction between 850 and 900 from the
2
downward vertical and A is the light emitting surface area of the luminaire (in/m ) in the direction 90° from the downward
vertical.
Final Report Page21

2.2.6 Parameters and Limiting Values used for Assessing the Effects on Astronomical
Observation
2.2.6.1 The magnitude scale and the limiting visual magnitude
There are differences in the way photometry is applied in illuminating engineering
and astronomy. Terms used by illuminating engineers, for example intensity and flux,
have different meanings in astronomy.
For the nomogram below, the night sky brightness in mag/arcsec2 can be easily
converted from one scale to the other. The horizontal red line shows the natural sky
brightness level for an unpolluted and clear starry sky. At this natural level the Milky
Way can be seen in all its beauty and around 6,000 stars with the naked eye at the
hemisphere of an observer.
The comparison between the scales can be made by drawing a horizontal line and
reading the various values at this horizontal line. The more light polluted the sky is,
the higher the horizontal line will be drawn.
The second scale is given in the proposed astronomical scale of magnitude per arc
second (mag/arcsec2 ) in the visual range (V-band). This gives the brightness of the
sky of one square arc second. The natural level is around 21.6 mag/arcsec2. The
fourth scale is the often used Bortle scale from 1 to 9 with scale 1 for an
excellent dark sky up to scale 9 for the sky above an inner city. The most right
scale gives the approximate number of stars that can be seen by an observer at the
observer’s hemisphere. However, the scales in the figure are approximate and
more refined and exact values should be evaluated by the formulas from related
literature.
Figure 2.4 Sky Brightness Nomogram

(Source: http://www.darkskiesawareness. org/nomogram.php)

External Lighting in HongKong
2.2.6.2 Upward light ratio (ULR)

CIE 126:1997 and CIE 150:2003 recommend the use of the upward light ratio
(ULR), previously called upward light output ratio installed (ULORinst) in CIE 126:1997,
as a parameter for defining the limits for control of sky glow effect. The upward light
ratio (ULR) is defined as the proportion of the flux of a luminaire and/or installation that
is emitted, at and above the horizontal when the luminaire(s) is mounted in its installed
position.
The use of ULR for limiting the effect of sky glow is adopted by various other authorities
such as the ILE of UK. IESNA TM-10-00 refers to CIE-126:1997 for measuring and
evaluating sky glow and therefore can be considered as also adopting the
recommendations of CIE.
Therefore, the following authorities and organizations adopt the use of ULR with
limiting values given in Table 2.6:
• CIE (CIE 150:2003 and CIE 126:1997)
• ILE (GN01:2005)
• IESNA (TM-10-00)
• Japan Ministry of the Environment Light Pollution Control Guidelines (MOE
LPCG)
Table 2.6 -Light technical parameter and limits for control of sky glow effect.
Light Zones and
Standards/ Application Environmental
Technical Recommended Limits
Codes Conditions
Parameter (Maximum)
CIE 126:1997 E1 E2 E3 E4
CIE 150:2003
IESNA Limits 0% 5% 15% 25%
TM-10-00 apply at all
Upward light
ratio China JGJ/T388-2008 times
(ULR) ILE GN01:2005 0% 2.5% 5% 15%
Limits LE-I LE-11 LE-III LE-IV
Japan MOE-LPCG apply at all
0% 5% 15% 20%
times
Note: The above limitshold s for each individual luminaire.
2.2.7 Parameters and LimitingValues used for Assessing Energy Efficiency of External
Lighting
2.2.7.1 Efficiency of lamps, control gear and luminaires
There are many codes on lighting energy efficiency specifying limits of the
following parameters:
(i) minimum lamp efficacy
(ii) maximum control gear loss
(iii) minimum power factor
(iv) minimum luminaire efficiency or light output ratio
Most codes are for buildings and mainly for building interior lighting. These codes may
also be made reference to for lamps and luminaires used for external lighting.

Beijing DB 11/T388-2006 recommends the use of energy efficient light sources

and luminaires meeting the relevant China National GB Standards.
China JGJ/T 163-2008 has a statement requiring that the minimum luminaire
efficiency (i.e. light output ratio) for floodlights should be 65%, but this is not
restrictive.
California 2008 Building Energy Efficiency Standards (CBEES 2008) (effective from
1 January 2010, replacing the 2005 Standards) require that lamps greater than 100W
used in permanent outdoor lighting must have a lamp efficacy of at least 60 lm/W if
not controlled by motion sensor. Moreover, this California Energy Code also requires
outdoor lighting tousehigh efficacy luminaires.
2.2.7.2 Lighting power density (LPD)
The lighting power density (LPD) in W/m2 is a commonly used parameter for
measuring energy efficiency for lighting of an area. LPD can also be used for
assessing energy efficiency of external lighting but the area can be a horizontal area
(such as sports fields and car parks) or a vertical area (such as building facade and
signs).
China JGJ/T 163-2008 gives non-restrictive recommendations for limiting the LPD of
building facade lighting. The recommended LPD limits are shown in Table 2.7.
Table 2.7 -Recommended LPD values for building facade lighting in JGJ/T 163-
2008.
Environmentalzones 1)
Size of
Facade E2 E3 E4
reflectance city 2) Illumin- LPD Illumin- LPD Illumin- LPD
2
ance(lx) (W/m ) ance(lx) (W/m )2
ance(lx) (W/m)2
Large 30 1.3 50 2.2 150 6.7
0.6-0.8 Medium 20 0.9 30 1.3 100 4.5
Small 15 0.7 20 0.9 75 3.3
Large 50 2.2 75 3.3 200 8.9
0.3-0.6 Medium 30 1.3 50 2.2 150 6.7
Small 20 0.9 30 1.3 100 4.5
Large 75 3.3 150 6.7 300 13.3
0.2-0.3 Medium 50 2.2 100 4.5 250 11.2
Small 30 1.3 75 3.3 200 8.9
Notes.
1) There should not be any building facade lighting in environmental zone E1.
2) Large city=non-agricultural population >500000; Medium =population 200000-500000; Small =population <200000.
Beijing Municipal Standard 北京市地方标准 DB11/T 388.4-2006 Technical

Specification of Urban Nightscape Lighting 《城市夜景照明技术规范》 (Part4:
Energy Conservation Requirements) has also given recommendations of limiting
values of LPD for building architectural lighting. Table2.8 gives these values.

Table 2.8 -Recommended LPD values for building architectural lighting in

DB11/T 388.4-2006
Reflectance Lowbackground Medium background High background
(%) brightness brightness brightness
lllumin- LPD Illumin- LPD Illumin- LPD
2
ance (lx) (W/m ) ance (lx) (W/m2) ance (lx) (W/m2)
70-85 50 3 100 5 150 7
45-70 75 4 150 7 200 9
20-45 150 7 200 9 300 14
Note: The above limits do not apply to areas and/or lime periods with special permit
CBEES 2008 (effective from 1 January 2010, replacing the 2005 Standards)
control the power of outdoor lighting by specifying limits, for each of the 4
lighting zones, ofthe following:
(i) general landscape lighting power allowance;
(ii) additional lighting power allowance for specific applications ;
(iii) additional lighting power allowance when light levels are required by local
ordinance .
The calculation guideline of lighting power allowance and the respective limits can be
referred to the Section 147 of the CBEES 2008 .
The California Standards also has requirements on the maximum allowed lighting
power for signsinthe Section 148 of CBEES 2008 as well:
(i) For internally illuminated signs, the maximum allowed lighting power is
12W per square foot of the illuminated sign area and only the area of a
single faceis counted for double-faced signs.
(ii) For externally illuminated signs, the maximum allowed lighting power is
2.3W per square foot ofthe illuminatedsign area.
2.3 Luminaire Classification for the Control of Obtrusive Light Effects

There are several luminaire classification systems used in outdoor lighting guidelines,
regulations or ordinances for control of obtrusive light effects. The luminaire
classifications used for outdoor lighting, but not exclusively for road lighting, are
summarized below.
2.3.1 Shielding Classification

The shielding classification classifies luminaires according to the percentage of light
projected from the luminaire to directions above the horizontal. The shielding of
luminaires is required by some outdoor lighting ordinances or regulations, is
commonly used mainly in USA. Table 2.9 is extracted from the information of
Outdoor Lighting Code Handbook, Version 1.14 by International Dark-Sky
Association to give the descriptions and shielding criteria for the 3 classes fully
shielded, partially shielded and unshielded.

Table 2.9 - Shielding classification outdoor luminaires.
Shielding of Description Percentage of light
luminaire projected above
horizontal
All light emitted by the fixture, either directly
from the lamp or a diffusing element, or
Fully shielded indirectly by reflection or refraction from any 0%
part of the luminaire, is projected below the
horizontal.
More than 0% but less than 10% of the light
>0%
Partially emitted directly from the lamp or indirectly
and
shielded from any part of the fixture is projected
<10%
above the horizontal.
10% or more of the light emitted directly
Unshielded from the lamp or indirectly from any part of ≥10%
the fixture is projected above the horizontal.
2.3.2 Cutoff Classi fication

Cutoff classification classifies luminaire s according to the intensity at (and above) 90° from
nadir and at 80° from nadir. This classification system was recommended by IESNA. Table
2.10 gives the description and intensity distribution criteria for the four cutoff classes: full
cutoff, cutoff, semi-cutoff and non cutoff.
Table 2.10 - Cutoff classification of outdoor luminaires.

Cutoff Description Intensity at Intensity at
classes 90° above 80° above
nadir nadir
(cd/ 1000 (cd/1000
lamp lm) lamp lm)
A luminaire light distribution where zero
candela intensity occurs at an angle of 90
degrees above nadir, and at all greater 0
angles from nadir. Additionally, the (including all
Full cutoff ≤100
candela per 1000 lamp lumens does not angles ≥90°
numerically exceed 100 at a vertical angle above nadir)
of 80° from nadir. This applies to all lateral
angles around the luminaire.
A luminaire light distribution where the
Candela per 1000 lamp lumens does not
Cutoff numerically exceed 25 at 90° above nadir, ≤25 ≤100
and 100 at 80° above nadir. This applies to
all lateral angles around the luminaire.
A luminaire light distribution where the
candela per 1000 lamp lumens does not
Semi-cutoff numerically exceed 50 at 90° above nadir, ≤50 ≤200
and 200 at 80° above nadir. This applies to
all lateral angles around the luminaire.
A luminaire light distribution where there
Non cutoff is no candela limitation in the zone above No limit No limit
maximum candela.

3 INVESTIGATION OF THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT WITH RESPECT

TO EXTERNAL LIGHTING
3.1 Introduction
3.1.1 This part of the study investigates the local environment with respect to external
lighting.
3.1.2 External lighting, exterior lighting and outdoor lighting have the same meaning in
this report. These terms are used by various authorities and organizations to mean
all lighting outside buildings, including lighting installations on building facades.
Lighting for covered outdoor footpaths not enclosed by walls, should also be
considered as external lighting.
3.1.3 According to CIE 150:2003, outdoor lighting is provided for a variety of purposes,
examples of which are as follows:
(a) For work or recreation- to enable people to see essential detail, in order that
they may undertake the work or recreation activities at night for which
the area is intended, e.g. freight yards, sporting fields;
(b) For safety or security - to light the area so as to facilitate the safety or
security of persons or property, e.g. lighting of roads, pedestrian pathways,
and perimeter lighting;
(c) For amenity - to light features of architectural or historical significance,
or to light parks or gardens;
(d) For advertising or display - to promote products or services, e.g. lighting
of advertising signs, or to give emphasis to commercial premises by means of
lighting.
3.2 Types of External Lighting in Hong Kong that may cause Light Pollution
Hong Kong is known as the Pearl of the Orient because of the bright and beautiful
lights shining at night. Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated cities in the
world. Not only commercial buildings in the business districts are high rise
skyscrapers; residential buildings are also high rise and scattered around the business
centres and over and around a number of new towns. Many residential premises are
mixed with commercial shops in several traditional shopping districts such as
Causeway Bay and Mongkok. The following are examples of external lighting that
may cause concern on light pollution:
(i) Large advertising signs are put on rooftop of buildings, particularly for
buildings along the two sides of the harbour. Some of these signs are changing
in colour and/or blinking and/or with moving graphics/letters/characters. The
density of these rooftop signs is high and concentrated along Central to
Causeway Bay on the Island and Tsim Sha Tsui opposite the harbour.
(ii) Floodlights and/or other types of lighting put on the top of high rise
buildings for illuminating the building crown and/or features for emphasizing
the building; these emit significant light output towards the sky.
(iii) Building facade lighting by externally mounted floodlights shinning

mostly from below and some from above as well.

(iv) Building facade lighting using neon lights and/or LED and/or fiber optics
on the surface, some are also blinking and/or changing in colour.
(v) Advertising and company signs (self luminous or illuminated) installed on
building facades.
(vi) Advertising and company signs (mostly self luminous) projected outward
from building facades.
(vii) Advertising signs (self luminous or illuminated) on road sides along major
traffic routes, e.g. near entrance/exit of tunnels.
(viii) Permanent external video structures.
(ix) Floodlights for the illumination of outdoor sports facilities, such as tennis
courts, basketball courts, football fields, golf courses, horse racing courses,
and swimming pools.
(x) Outdoor area lighting such as lighting for car parks.
3.3 Light Pollution in Hong Kong

3.3.1 Nuisance Complaints caused by External Lighting
As the residents seems to be more aware of light nuisance and light pollution, the
number of complaints received by the Environmental Protection Department and
other government departments on nuisance caused by lighting is increasing.
According to the Friends of the Earth (HK), the number of complaints on light
pollution (nuisance) in the past 4 years received by various departments is given
in Table 3.1 (www.foe.org.hk, Press Release of 25 May 2009 (Chinese version
only)). Table 3.2 (from 香港地球之友《日照 ·夜照》, published in 2009) gives
a breakdown of the lighting sources causing the complaints received by EPD in
the past 6 years.
Table 3.1 - Number of complaints on nuisance caused by lighting

Year 2005 2006 2007 2008
No.of complaints received by EPD 33 35 40 82
No. of complaints received by other
departments * 35 38 47 77
Total no. of complaints 68 73 87 159
*Including Leisure and Cultural Services Department, Housing Department, Highways Department.
Table 3.2 - Number of complaints on different light sources received by EPD

Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Advertising signs 2 3 15 15 15 24
Floodlights 6 9 15 15 9 27
Others 1 1 3 5 16 29
Video walls -- -- -- -- -- 2
Total 9 13 33 35 40 82
*Including indoor light sources.

3.3.2 Results of a Territory-wide research by HKU on ‘Light Pollution’ (Sky Glow)
3.3.2.1 From the published Hong Kong Light Pollution Map

(http://nightsky.physics.hku.hk),values of night sky brightness in mag/arcsec2 are
given for 191 sites. An analysis of the data given in the map has been carried out with
results given in Tables 3.3 & 3.4. Table 3.3 gives the number of sites with night sky
brightness of 13-20 mag/arcsec2 counted from the website map. A summary of the
range of night sky brightness in different districts/areas is given in Table 3.4.
3.3.2.2 Tables 3.3 & 3.4 show that very few areas within Hong Kong have dark
skiessuitable for astronomical observations which require a sky as dark as 21.6 mag/
arcsec2 according to suggestion of the International Astronomical Union (IAU). The
areas with the darkest night skies in Hong Kong are Eastern Sai Kung and South-
western Lantau, where the night sky brightness is 20 mag/arcsec2 or more, meaning
that the limiting magnitude is greater than 5.8, or over 2000 stars are visible to the
naked-eye.
3.3.2.3 More than half of the surveyed sites have night sky brightness of 15 mag/arcsec2 or
below, i.e. more than 430 times brighter than the natural sky or having a
limiting visual magnitude of approximately 1.5 or only about 15 brightest stars
are visible to the naked-eye. There are 14 sites with night sky brightness of 13
mag/arcsec2 or less, meaning the night sky is over 2,750 times brighter than the
natural night sky or the limiting magnitude is near to 0 or almost all the stars are not
visible to the naked-eye.
3.3.2.4 The data shows that the urban areas of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon have
high night sky brightness as well as many sites in the new towns in the New
Territories have also high sky brightness.
Table 3.3 - Number of sites with different night sky brightness (from Hong Kong
Light Pollution Map by HKU, http://nightsky .hysics.hku.hk)
Night sky Equivalent No. of times Approx. Approx. Number of
brightness in night sky brighter limiting number sites*
mag/arcse2 luminance than natural visual of stars identified
in mcd/m2 night sky magnitude visible to from the
(21.6 mag/ the map
arcses2 0.25 naked
mcd/m2 eye
≤13 ≥687.7 >2750 <0 0 14
14 273.8 >1090 0.5 ≈5 39
15 109.0 >430 1.5 ≈15 57
16 43.4 >170 2.5 ≈30 46
17 17.3 >69 3.4 ≈120 16
18 6.9 >27 4.3 ≈250 10
19 2.7 10.9 5.0 ≈800 6
≥20 ≤1.1 ≤4.4 5.8 ≥2000 3
*Total number of sites identified from the map =191

Table 3.4 - Range of night sky brightness in different districts/areas

Night sky
District/Area brightness
(mag/arcsec2)
West Mid-level 16
Wan Chai 13
North Point / Quarry Bay / Tai Koo Shing 14-16
Hong Kong Jardine’s Lookout 16
Island SaiWanHo / Shau Kei Wan / Chai Wan 14-16
Shek O 19
Stanley 17
Aberdeen/Wong Chuk Hang 15-16
Tsim Sha Tsui/ Yau Ma Tei / Mong Kok 13-16
Shun Shui Po /Lai Chi Kok / Mei Foo 15-17
Kowloon Hung Hum/To Kwa Wan 13-16
ChoiHungIDiamondHill/ Tsz Wan Shan 15-16
Kwun Tong 15-16
Tseung Kwan O 14-16
Sai Kung 17-20
Kwai Chung/Tsing Yi 14-15
Tsuen Wan 13-16
Sha Tin 14-17
Ma On Shan 15
Tai Po 16
Fan Ling 14-17
New Territories
Sheung Shui 14-17
Yuen Long /Tuen Mun 13-16
Tin Shui Wai 14-16
MaiPo 16
Tung Chung 13-18
Lantau Island (except Tung Chung) 16-20
CheungChau 16-18
Lamma Island 18
3.4 Identification of Selected Districts / Areas for Detailed Site Survey /

Investigation
3.4.1 Proposed representative districts / areas for detailed site survey / investigation
Taking into account the characteristics of external lighting, types, lighting
conditions / characteristics,perceivedintensity ofthe external lightings (including
facade or window illuminance) to the affected residents as well as previous light
nuisance records and complaints addressing in mass media as reference, the six
districts / areas for detailed site survey / investigation have been selected and are
listed as follows:-
1. Shun Lee Estate (a public housing estate) (area close to sports ground)
(Kwun Tong)
2. Des Voeux Road Central / Queensway (Central)
3. PatersonStreet / GreatGeorgeStreet / Hennessy Road (CausewayBay)
4. Nathan Road / Sai Yeung Choi Street (Mongkok)
5. Yan King Road / Kai King Road (Po Lam,Tseung Kwan O)
6. Clear Water Bay Country Park with nearby villages, Tai Hang Hau and Tai
Wan Tau (Sai Kung)

Characteristics of external lighting in these 6 selected districts / areas are

summarized in Table 3.5.
Table3.5 - Characteristics of external lighting in the 6 selected districts/areas

Item Proposed location District Region Nature, Major Light
of representative Type / Resident Type Nuisance
Districts / Areas Category Sources (Note 1)
1 Shun Lee Estate (a Urban / KLN Public rental [S], [SL]
public housing Residential housing estate
estate) (near sports
ground) (Kwun
Tong)
2 Des Voeux Road Urban / HK Traditional office [S], [EL], [FL],
Central / Commercial Island area, hotel [VW],[IL]
Queensway
(Central)*
3 Paterson Street / Urban / HK Shopping area [S], [EL], [FL],
Great George Residential- Island with pedestrian [VW],[IL]
StreetIHennessy cum- area, private
Road (Causeway Commercial housing, hotel
Bay)*
4 NathanRoadISai Urban / KLN Shoppingarea [S], [EL], [FL],
Yeung Choi Street Residential- with pedestrian [VW],[IL]
(Mongkok)* cum- area, private
Commercial housing, hostel
5 Yan King Road / New Town NT Public subsidized [S], [EL]
Kai King Road sale housing
(Po Lam)* estates, private
housing estate
with shopping
plaza
6 Clear Water Bay Rural NT Villagehouses [FL]
Country Park with
nearby villages,
Tai Hang Hau and
Tai Wan Tau (Sai
Kung)
Note 1 Lighting nuisance esource abbreviations are
[S]: signs(advertisingornon-advertising, standalone or on building facades, self-luminous or illuminated),
[FL): lighting for building facades and features,
[EL]: lighting out side buildings, shops, restaurants, other public entertainment venues,
[SL]: lighting for sport fields,
[VW]·permanent external video structures,
[IL]: lighting emitted from building through facades to the outside environment
*denotes districts I areas with light nuisance complaints
Final Report Page31

3.5 Parameters Considered Suitable for Assessment of the Problems of External

Lighting and the Recommended Thresholds for Assessment Purpose in the
Survey
Since different districts/areas have different population densities and different
levels of commercial and recreational activities at night, it is recommended that a
lighting environmental zoning system similar to the CIE system to be adopted for
the survey in the study.
A 4-zone lighting zoning system similar to the CIE lighting environmental zoning
system is adopted by a number of countries for mandatory control or voluntary
guidelines of outdoor lighting. The countries adopting or recommending the use
of zoning system similar to the CIE zoning system include the North America
countries (USA,Canada and Mexico), UK, Mainland China and Japan.
A zoning approach based on the CIE environmental zones is initially suggested

for lighting assessment purpose in this survey. The suggested preliminary
classification is given in Table 3.6 where the planning zones in the Hong Kong
Metroplan Residential Zones, New Towns Residential Density Zones and Rural Area
Residential Density Zones are referenced to for sake ofillustration.
Table 3.6 -Lighting environmental zones for the lighting survey

Zone Lighting Environment Suggested preliminary classification
Country parks and
E1 Intrinsically dark
designated areas for astronomical observations
Rural Residential Density ZonesRR2, RR3, RR4,
RR5,Village (with New Territories Exempted Houses);
MetroplanResidential Zone 3;and New Towns
E2 Low district brightness Residential Density Zones R3 & R4
(Excluding areas already classified as country parks
which is suggested to belong to zone E1 by
default)
Rural Residential Density Zone RR1; Metroplan
Medium district
E3 Residential Zone 2; and New Towns Residential
brightness
Density Zones R2
Metroplan Residential Zone 1;andNew Towns
E4 High district brightness
Residential Density Zones R1
For the survey under the study, the 6 selected districts/areas would be classified
according to the zoning in Table 3.6. However, Hong Kong’s specific situations
such as small geographic size, building mix and building density should be taken
into account when considering feasibility of applying lighting environmental zone
concepts territory-wide.
Final Report Page32

3.5.2 Curfew Hour

Curfew hour is recommended in many guidelines and also enforced in some
outdoor lighting laws. Curfew hour is proposed for assessment purpose in this
survey. Curfew is defined as 11:00 p.m. or mid-night depending on the zoning
beyond which more stringent reference threshold limits are recommended for
controlling obtrusive light.
3.5.3 Parameters and Limiting Values for Quantitative Assessment of the Effects on
Residents
3.5.3.1 Light trespass
Based on international recommendations and existing guidelines used in overseas
countries and the mainland which have metropolitan areas with economic
activities comparable to Hong Kong, the vertical illuminance on the windows of
residential units is a suitable parameter to measure and assess the effect of light
trespass on residents. In order to simplify the measurement or calculation, the
vertical illuminance at the centre of the window can be used. The illuminance is due
to light from all light sources that emit light towards the resident's window.
After compared the technical standards in Table 2.2 in Section 2.2.4.1, the
limiting values used in CIE 150:2003 guideline are proposed to be a preliminary
benchmarking for assessing the light trespass conditions in Hong Kong. In fact,
this CIE standard is comprehensive as it consists of 4 different sets of limiting
value to cater all 4 lighting environmental zones. Furthermore, this CIE standard
is far more representative, not just because it is equivalent to the ILE GN01:2005
guideline, China JGJ/T 163-2008 standard and Japan MOE-LPCG guideline in
the table, but also the limiting values in Australian standard AS4282-1997 and
Beijing Municipal Standard DB11/T388-2006 are exactly the same or similar to
those values of CIE standard in zone E3 and E4 respectively. The proposed
limiting values for assessing light trespass using the vertical illuminance at centre
of windows of residential units are given in Table 3.7. However, these proposed
limiting values may not be suitable for control of outdoor lighting installations as
the effect is summation of the light from all light sources shining at the resident's
premises. It is only suitable for assessing the level of light trespass affecting the
residents in the site measurements.
Table 3.7 - Proposed limits for assessing light trespass (extracted from CIE
standard)
Light Technical Application Lighting Environmental Zones and
Parameter Conditions Proposed Limits
Vertical illuminance El E2 E3 E4
at centre of window
Pre-curfew 2 lx 5 lx 10 1x 25 lx
(Ev) 1)
Post-curfew 0 1x2) 1 lx 2 lx 5 lx
1) The values are the summation of all lighting installations.
2) If thereis publie (road) lighting then this value may be up to 1 lx.
Final Report Page33

3.5.3.2 Glare from bright light sources, building facades and signs
Based on the international recommendations and existing guidelines used in
overseas countries and the mainland, the following three parameters are suitable
for use in assessing glare due to direct view of bright light sources, building
facades, signs (including permanent external video structures) in the survey:
(i) Luminous intensity emitted by luminaires (Id) in directions where views of
bright surfaces of luminaires are likely to be troublesome to residents,
from positions where such views are likely to be maintained, i.e. not
wheremomentaryorshort-termviewingisinvolved.
(ii) Buildingfacade luminanc (Lb) which can be taken as average luminance
or the product of the average illuminance and reflectance factor divided by
π
(iii) Sign luminance (Ls) which is taken, for illuminated signs, as the average
luminance or the product of the design average illuminance and
reflectance factor divided by -n, or for self-luminous signs, its average
luminance.
After compared the related technical standards in Table 2.3 of Section 2.2.4.2
concerning the luminous intensity emitted by luminaires (Id) in designated
directions, building facade luminance (Lb) and sign luminance (Ls) the limiting
vah1es used in CIE 150:2003 guideline (also equivalent to the ILE GN01:2005
guideline, China standard JGJ/T 163-2008 and Japan MOE-LPCG guideline) is
more comprehensive as this is the only set of limiting values that catered all 4
lighting environmental zones. The limiting values used in CIE guideline are
therefore proposed for assessing the glare impacts in Hong Kong. Table 3.8 gives
the proposed limiting values for these three parameters. In addition to the
proposed limits of light trespass in Section 3.5.3.1, all these limits of glare impact
are also in line with the CIE 150:2003 guidelines and actually, this standard is
widely adopted in many developed / developing countries to assess the impact of
outdoor lighting to the environment.
Table 3.8 - Proposed parameters and limits for assessing glare impact on
residents from bright luminaires, building facades and signs (including video
walls).
Light Technical Lighting Environmental Zones and
Application
Parameter Proposed Limits
Conditions
E1 E2 E3 E4
Luminous intensity Pre-curfew 2500 cd 7500 cd 10000 cd 25000 cd
emitted by luminaires
(Id) in directions
Post-curfew 0 cd 500 cd 1000 cd 2500 cd
towards residents 1)
2 2 2
Building facade Pre-curfew 0 cd/m 5 cd/m 10cd/m 25 cd/m2
luminance (Lb) Post-curfew 0cd/m2 5 cd/m2 10 cd/m2 25 cd/m2
Pre-curfew 50 cd/m2 400 cd/m2 800 cd/m2 1000 cd/m2
Sign luminance (Ls) 2)
Post-curfew 0cd/m2 400 cd/m2 800cd/m2 1000 cd/m2
1) If the directly seen luminaires are flashing, the luminous intensity should be halfof the given limits.
2) Signs include video walls but exclude signs for traffic control. The use of signs incorporating lighting which is cyclic
or flashing in nature is deprecated in zones El and E2. In any zones such signs should not be positioned close to
windows of habitable rooms.
Final Report Page34

3.5.4 Parameters and Thresholds for Quantitative Assessment of the Effects on Road
Users
3.5.4.1 Disability glare on all road users (drivers, cyclists, pedestrians)
The Highways Department uses also the threshold increment TI for the
assessment of glare due to road lighting according to lighting classes of roads. In
the Public Lighting Design Manual of Highways Department, it is also mentioned
that the undesirable effects of light pollution should be minimized making
reference to the ILE publication - Guidance Notes for the Reduction of Light
Pollution (Obtrusive Light), which recommends the use of CIE guidelines. Hence,
it can be considered that the TI is a suitable parameter for assessing the effect of
glare on road users. Since the Highways Department specifies a TI of 20% for
road lighting class L5 and 15% for road lighting classes Ll - L4, the same TI limits
are suggested to be used for assessing glare from non road lighting installations. The
recommended limiting valuesaregiven inTable 3.9.
Table 3.9 -Recommended parameters and limitsfor assessing glareimpact on

road users due to non road lighting
Light
Application
Technical Recommended Limits 1)
Conditions
Paramete
Road classification 2)
No road
L5 L4/L3 L2/L1
lighting
Threshold 20% 20% 15% 15%
increment based on based on based on based on
(TI) Limits apply adaptation adaptation adaptation adaptation
at alltimes luminance luminance luminance luminance
of of of of
0.1 cd/m2 1cd/m2 2cd/m2 5 cd/m2
1) Limits apply where road users are subject to a reduction in the ability to see essential information. Values given are for
relevant positions and for viewing directions in the path of travel.
2) Road classifications as given in Public Lighting Design Manual of Highways Department
3.5.4.2 Discomfort glare on pedestrians
Little experience has been collected on the use of the new parameter L·A0 5 in
CIE-136:2000 for assessing discomfort glare effect on road users, mainly
pedestrians and cyclist. In the reviewed standards/guidelines, only the China
Construction Industry Standard and Shanghai Municipal Standard adopt the CIE
recommendation of using this parameter. Major developed countries such as
USA, UK, Australia and Japan do not use this parameter. Moreover, discomfort
glare on pedestrians is normally transient and is not a serious concern. Therefore,
it is recommended not to adopt this parameter in Hong Kong for the assessing of
glare.
Final Report Page35

3.5.5 Parameters and Limiting Values for Quantitative Assessment of the Effects on
Astronomical Observation
3.5.5.1 The limiting visual magnitude and the night sky brightness
The limiting visual magnitude and the night sky brightness are both suitable
parameters for assessing the sky glow effect. However, there is not much
meaning in setting target limiting values for the urban and suburban skies. It may
be useful to adopt limiting values for specifying the target achievable limiting
magnitude or night sky brightness in mag/arcsec2 in special conservation zones
for astronomical observations. Preliminarily, target minimum values of the
limiting magnitude and night sky brightness can be set at +6.0 and 20 mag/arcsec2,
respectively (Table 3.10). According to the recent HKU light pollution survey,
these values are achievable in areas such as Eastern Sai Kung and South-western
Lantau.
Table 3.10 -Proposed parameters and limits for assessing the performance of
special conservation zones for astronomical observations.
Light technical Proposed limit Application Applicable zone
parameter conditions
Limiting visual ≥6.0 Special
magnitude Limits apply all conservation zone
Night sky brightness ≥20 mag/arcsec2 times for astronomical
in mag/ arcsec2 observations
3.5.5.2 Upward light ratio (ULR)

The upward light ratio (ULR) can also be considered to be adopted for use.
However, a detailed study of the implications must be conducted before adopting
this parameter. It is because ULR cannot be measured on site and assessment of
ULR can only be made by calculations, aided by computer software if necessary.
The calculation of ULR involves the availability of photometric data of the
luminaires, and the locations and aiming angles of the luminaires. In addition, as
more astronomical observations and activities will be carried out in lighting
environmental zone E1 (intrinsically dark) rather than E2, E3 & E4. The ULR
applicable to zone E1 is significant and meaningful to Hong Kong situation. At
this stage a limit of 0% ULR is proposed only for lighting environmental zone E1
or even only for the special conservation zone for astronomical observations
(Table 3.11). Although an ULR of not more than 25% is recommended in lighting
environmental zone E4 such as commercial centres according to the CIE
recommended limits, most astronomical observations will not be conducted in
zone E2, E3 & E4. In addition, many existing floodlights for signs and for
building facades in residential and commercial areas in Hong Kong are installed
such that the lights are aiming at a direction pointing upwards for specific needs.
The ULR limits could not be applicable to other zones in Hong Kong.
Table 3.11 - Recommended parameter and limit for assessing lighting

installations for reducing sky glow effect.
Lighttechnical Proposed limit Application Applicable lighting
parameter conditions environmental zone
Limits apply all
ULR 0% E1
times
Final Report Page36

3.5.6 Parameters and Limiting Values for Quantitative Assessment of Energy

Efficiency of External Lighting
3.5.6.1 Efficiency of lamps, control gear and luminaires
Hong Kong has already a voluntary Building Energy Code for lighting (Code of
Practice for Energy Efficiency of Lighting Installations 2007 Edition)
recommending limiting values of lamp efficacy and control gear loss for lighting
installations in buildings. In the 2007 Edition of the Lighting Energy Code, it is
stated that the requirements for the minimum allowable lamp luminous efficacy
and the maximum allowable control gear loss are extended to outdoor lighting. It
is recommended the lamp efficacy and control gear loss for outdoor lighting
installations should alsocomply with the limits given in this lighting energy code.
3.5.6.2 Lighting power density (LPD)

The lighting power density (LPD) in W/m2 could also be a suitable parameter for
assessing the energy efficiency for lighting of building facades and signs. Noting
that the LPD limits in overseas standards may not be directly applicable to Hong
Kong’s local context for meaningful comparison in view of the more densely
populated urban area, higher building densities, and different business and social
background, the study instead attempts to compare the LPD of external lighting
across the 6 surveyed districts/areas.
With reference to the limiting values adopted by China JGJ/T 163-2008, the Beijing
Municipal Standard DB 11/T 388.4 - 2006 and California Building Energy Efficiency
Standard, the recommended limiting values for local use are given in
Table 3.12. The recommended LPD values for building facade lighting are taken
from the recommended limits Beijing Municipal Standard (The limits of Beijing
Municipal Standard and China Trade Standard are similar but the former one is
comparatively lenient). A single upper limit is recommended for each lighting
environmental zone instead of values depending on facade reflectance for
simplicity. The LPD values for externally and internally illuminated signs are
recommended to be about 26W/m2 and 130W/m2 respectively based on the
California 2008 Building Energy Efficiency Standards but those values do not
mention to be applied for which lighting zones. Therefore, the recommended
LPD values will only be the reference point for all the zones within this survey
study.
Table 3.12 -Proposed limiting values of light power density for assessing energy
efficiency of lighting for building facade and signs.
lighting Environmental Zones and proposed
Type of lighting limiting values of Lighting Power Density (W/m2)
El E2 E3 E4
Building facade lighting 1) 0 7 9 14
Externally illuminated signs 2)
4) 26
Internally illuminated sign 3)4) 130
1) Only the illuminated area of the building facade shall be used for calculating the LPD.
2) Only the illuminated area of the sign shall be used for calculating the LPD.
3) Only the luminous area of the sign shall be counted for calculation of LPD; for double-faced signs, only the area of a
single face shall be counted
4) The values of LPD are for reference only given the fad that only single values of LPD for externally illuminated
signs and internally illuminated signs appeared in California 2008 Building Energy Efficiency Standards.

4 SURVEY OF THE EXTERNAL LIGHTING CONDITIONS IN HONG

KONG
4.1 Introduction
This part of the study firstly describes the general methodology to survey the
external lighting situation of 6 representative districts/areas. The details of survey
on external lighting conditions of the 6 representative districts/areas are included.
4.2 Survey Methodology

Before full survey for the 6 representative districts / areas for the study, a pilot
survey was conducted to measure and assess the external lighting conditions at
one of the representative areas in urban / residential-cum-commercial category,
Nathan Road/Sai Yeung Choi Street (Mongkok) to work out a practical
methodology/approach and model workflow for all the surveys. The
methodology was then generally applied to all other selected urban and new town
districts/areas and variations that existed would be further elaborated in the sub-
section, ‘Particular Measuring Requirement’ of each representative districts/areas.
4.2.1 Pre-requisitions
Referring to the overseas practice, specific terms such as the lighting
environmental zoning and curfew would be based on for the quantitative
assessment of external lighting conditions. A lighting zoning system similar to
the CIE lighting environmental zoning system is preliminarily adopted for those
representative districts/areas and the system is given in Table 4.1. We will also
compare the external lighting conditions in selected districts with the limits
recommended in international reference standards. Details of the recommended
limits in international standards are given in Table 4.2.
Table 4.1 -Lighting environmental zones adopted for survey
Zone Lighting Environment Examples of areas
Country parks and
El Intrinsically dark
designated areas for astronomical observations
E2 Low district brightness Rural residential areas
E3 Medium district brightness Residential areas, new towns
City / town centres, commercial areas and
E4 High district brightness designated commercial cum residential areas
Furthermore, the parameters and limits for measuring and assessing the light
trespass, glare and night sky brightness as well as the energy efficiency of
external lightings are proposed inthe Section 3.5,and summarized in Table 4.2.
Final Report Page38

Table 4.2. -Proposed parameters and thresholds for detailed survey in different
district types.
District / Preliminary Relevant parameters to Proposed limits for comparison Reference
area type lighting be measured with the measured values Standard /
environmental Code for
zone proposed
classification limits
Urban E3 Ev at selected points on Pre-curfew 10 lx CIE
residential facade/window 1) Post-curfew 2 lx Standard
(Kwun Id of bright luminaires in Pre-curfew 10000 cd CIE
Tong) directions towards Post-curfew 1000 cd Standard
residents 2)
Ls sign luminance Pre-curfew 800 cd/m2 CIE
Post-curfew 800 cd/m2 Standard
LPD for signs 3) Externally 26 W/m2 California
Energy
illuminated
Code
Internally 130 W/m2
illuminated
Night sky brightness No proposed limit for urban area N/A
Urban Ev at selected points on Pre-curfew 25 lx CIE

E4 facade/window 1) Post-curfew 5 lx Standard
commercial
(Central) Id of bright luminaires in Pre-curfew 25000 cd CIE
directions towards Post-curfew 2500 cd Standard
residents 2)
Lb facade luminance Pre-curfew 25 cd/m2 CIE
LPD for building Illuminated facade 14 W/m2 Beijing
facade lighting 3
）
Municipal
Standard
LPD for signs 3
）
Externally 26 W/m2 California
illuminated Energy
Internally 130 W/m2 Code
illuminated
Urban E4 Ev at selected points on Pre-curfew 25 lx CIE

facade/window 1
）
residential Post-curfew 5 lx Standard
cum Id of bright luminaires in Pre-curfew 25000 cd CIE
commercial directions towards Post-curfew 2500 cd Standard
(Causeway residents 2）
& Mongkok) Lb facade luminance Pre-curfew 25 cd/m2 CIE
LPD for building facade Illuminated facade 14 W/m2 Beijing
lighting 3
）
Municipal
Standard
LPD for signs3) Externally 26 W/m2 California
illuminated Energy
illuminated
Final Report Page39

District/ Preliminary Relevant parameters to Proposed limits for comparison Reference

area type lighting be measured with the measured values Standard /
environment Code for
al zone proposed
classification limits
Newtown E3 Ev at selected points on Pre-curfew 10 lx CIE
1)
(Tseung Facade/window Post-curfew 2 lx Standard
Kwan O) ld of bright luminaires Pre-curfew 10000 cd CIE
indirections towards Standard
Post-curfew 1000 cd
residents 2)
LS sign luminance Pre-curfew 800 cd/m2 CIE

LPD for signs3) Externally 26 W/m2 California
illuminated Energy
illuminated
Night sky brightness No proposed limit for urban N/A
area
Rural / E2 Ev at selected points on Pre-curfew 5 lx CIE
1)
country facade/window Post-curfew 1 lx Standard
park ld of bright luminaires Pre-curfew 7500 cd CIE
(Clear indirections towards Post-curfew 500cd Standard
2)
Water Bay) residents
3)
LPDforsigns Externally 26 W/m2 California
illuminated Energy
illuminated
E1 Night sky brightness ≥20 mag/arcsec
2
N/A
Notes
1) Calculated from measured luminance L and estimated reflectance p :EV=πL/p
2) Calculated from measured luminance L and estimated projected area AP of luminaire. Id=LAP
3) Estimated from numberof luminaires and typical wattages.
4.2.2 Information of Survey Area

Before carrying out the on-site measurement of the impact of external lighting,
certain information of the representative districts / areas shall first be explored by
means of both desktop and site study.
For the site study, photo taking isthe major activity torecord the external lighting
condition within the survey area and two sets of photo are to be taken: one set to
illustrate the overall perception ofthe external lighting condition of each building
block along the survey streets / roads with both unique manual settings and night-
view-scene auto setting provided by the digital camera; and the other set to
illustrate the existence of external lighting in smaller sections (e.g. floodlights in
front of each shop, projected advertising panel of each building block) such that
the quantity of luminaires could be estimated by checking these photos. In
addition,the flashing/flickering /colour changing effects of external lighting are
recorded by video for further investigation. Accessible places (e.g. cafes / salons
above ground floor level) that may be available to carry out the proposed
measurement at sensitive receiver side shall also be identified during the site
study with supplementary photo / video records.

For the desktop study, information such as building name, building nature (i.e.
residential / commercial) and number of floor and residential flats and the
dimensions of survey area are to be explored so as to work out a baseline template
with quantities and dimensions for sampling of proposed measurement and further
quantifying the energy consumptions of external lighting in the survey area.
4.2. 3 Proposed Methodology /Approach for Survey

4.2.3.1 Based on the information consolidated in previous sections, the actual
measurement / assessment were carried out in the survey area in July & August
2009.
(i) Parameter to be measured for assessing the effect of light trespass

• Vertical illuminance (Ev) from all lighting installations on relevant
surfaces, e.g. windows, of residential premises is to be measured by
application of the High Dynamic Range (HDR) Photography technology
that the luminance level on each building block is captured by the
camera that connected to a computer to control the exposure sequences.
This raw data of the selected building blocks shall be further processed
by the free licensed software and available on internet, ‘Photosphere’ to
evaluate the measured luminance L (in cd/m2) and the value of wall /
facade reflectance ρ wm1ld then be estimated with reference to the building
material so as to calculate the vertical illuminance Ev (in lx) by using the
formula: Ev= πL/ρ.
(ii) Parameters to be measured for assessing the effect ofglare

• Luminous intensity emitted by luminaires (Id) in directions where views
of bright surfaces of luminaires are likely to be troublesome to residents,
from positions where such views are likely to be maintained. This
parameter was proposed to be assessed at the sensitive receiver side
where access could be granted, in which the luminous intensity (in cd) is
calculated from measured luminance L (in cd/m2) and estimated
projected area Ap (in m2 ) of luminaires by using the formula: Id = L AP
Due to the limitation to conduct intensity measurements on site as stated in
Section 4.2.6, the parameters of some typical residents will be
estimated by using the photometric polar curve of the similar bright
luminaire according to the resident's view angle to the luminaire.
• Sign luminance (Ls) is to be measured by application of the High

Dynamic Range Photography technology which luminance level of the
selected signage is captured by the camera that connected to a computer
to control the exposure sequences. The data capture by the images shall
be further processed by the software, ‘Photosphere’ to evaluate the
measuredluminance Ls (in cd/m2).

(iii) Parameter used for measuring the magnitude of night sky brightness
• The night sky brightness is a suitable parameter for assessing the sky
glow effect and the recommended limit value on sky glow effect is only
applicable to the rural area at the Clear Water Bay Country Park.
However, measurements of sky glow will also be conducted in all other
selected districts / areas.
2
• It may be useful to adopt the night sky brightness in mag/arcsec in
special conservation zones for astronomical observations in rural area
and the Sky Quality Meter is used for this measurement.
(iv) Parameters to be used for assessing energy efficiency of external lighting

• Lighting power density (LPD) in W/m2 is used for assessing energy
efficiency of signs and facade lightings on vertical area as well as shop
front lighting. A luminaire schedule has been consolidated to list out the
possible luminaire types, lamp types and nominal lamp / circuit wattages
within the survey area such that the lighting power density could be
estimated as the quantities of luminaire in each building block has been
identified at the information gathering stage.
• Since LPD limits in overseas standards may not be directly applicable to
Hong Kong, the LPD of external lighting including shop front lighting
will be also estimated and compared across the 6 surveyed districts/areas.
(v) Over-illumination aspects will be assessed by comparing the measurement

parameters with the corresponding proposed limit values in Table 4.2.
4.2.4 Approach for Site Measurements in Urban Areas

4.2.4.1 The survey team was formed by the Consultant and the sub-consultancy of
lighting specialist, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. A group briefing
would first be conducted to all the team members concerning the scope and
division of works based on the information collected in previous site visits and they
would also be reminded some basic responsibilities to maintain safety
awareness and minimal disturbance to the stakeholders (e.g. road users,residents,
management offices, etc.) within the survey area.
4.2.4.1 After having confirmed the readiness of site survey conditions, often in between
19:30 and 20:00, they would be divided into at least 4 teams and each team would
be assigned a different task of measurement or photo/video recording for 2 times
in total (before and after the preset time (i.e. presumed curfew) of each
representative district/area) in the selected urban areas:
1. High Dynamic Range (HDR) Imaging System would be applied that a Sigma
10-20rnrn F4-5.6 EX DC HSM lens equipped on the Digital Single-Lens Reflex
(DSLR) Camera, Canon 350D was fixed on the tripod and connected
to a notebook computer for controlling the exposure sequence. This
photography technique could capture the luminance values (in cd/m2 ) for the
whole picture taken after further processing by the software ‘Photosphere’.
2. Luminance Meter would be used to measure the sign luminance, Ls (in cd/m)2
and also some sample points for validating the luminance values of the building
envelope measured by the application of HDR Imaging System.

3. Photos/videos should be taken along the main survey areas with external lighting
for recording the quantity and type of the luminaires/lamps before and after the
preset time of each representative district/area.
4. Sky Quality Meter would be used to assess the sky glow of the selected
districts/areas but the place of measurement could also be immediately near
the survey area at a higher position so that the measured values would not be
affected by the nearby lighting.
4.2.5 Measuring Instruments

(i) Illuminancemeter (KonicaMinoltaT-10/Center337MiniLightmeter)
(ii) Luminance meter (Minolta LS100)
(iii) HighDynamic Range (HDR) Imaging System(Canon 350Dwith Sigma 10-
20rnrn F4-5.6 EX DC HSM lens)
(iv) Sky Quality Meter (Unihedron SQM-L)
4.2.6 Limitation for Measurement of Glare on Residents due to Bright Luminaries

4.2.6.1 In all the studied guidelines, the glare on residents is assessed by the intensity of
bright luminaires in the direction of view of the residents. CIE150:2003 mentions
about measurements both on site and in laboratory. For site measurement, it
recommends the measurement of illuminance at the position of concern and then
the intensity calculated by I = E ∙d2 , where I is the intensity of the bright luminaire,
E the measured illuminance at the position of concern (resident) and d is the
distance between the luminaire and the resident. Because the objective is to
measure the glare effect due to each single luminaire, the measurement must be
carried out either with only the luminaire on or with effective shielding of all light
from other light sources.
4.2.6.2 CIE 150:2003 (p. 21) states that “It is recommended that the luminous intensity
data be obtained from tests conducted by a laboratory that is independently
accredited as competent to carry out the type of measurements involved.” Then
the intensity can be determined by knowing the directions of the view from the
residents (windows) to the luminaire concerned with reference to the aiming
direction of the l luminaire. The determination involves mainly the calculation of
angles and then the required intensity can be obtained from the intensity
distribution tested in a laboratory.
4.2.6.3 The best approach for the glare measurement of the target bright light sources
should be using the luminance meter from the point of view at the sensitive
receiver side. However, access to the residential premises to assess glare is
subject to the owner / occupant’s permission. Even if the premises are accessible,
it is also not practicable to measure the glare caused by the bright luminaire
visible to the residents because there are too many light sources in the area
making the shielding of light from other sources impracticable, if not totally
impossible.
4.2.6.4 For assessing the glare problems in this study, an alternative is to identify the
existence of glare problem by visual inspection such as proximity of bright light
sources to nearby residential flats as well as the aiming angles. Once the glare
problem is observed in the selected districts / areas, related photometric data,
aiming angle and the distance between the bright light source and the most
affected residential flats will be collected and recorded, and to determine the
intensity of bright luminaires in the direction of view of the residents by using the
photometric polarcurve of the similar bright luminaire.
4.2.7 Limitation for Measurement of LPD for Internally & Externally Illuminated Signs
4.2.7.1 As it is not practicable to open up the signs to count the quantities of luminaries
installed inside the signs, the following assumptions are made for our estimation
of LPD for internally illuminated signs:
(i) Batten fluorescent tubes to be adopted;
(ii) It sbatten areas of T8 FL36W batten is 0.06xl.2 =0.072m2 ;
(iii) Electromagnetic ballast efficiency is 0.8 ;
(iv) sign luminaire space factor is 0.4;
Hence, in general, the LPD of internally illuminated signs are estimated to about
250W/m2(i.e. 36/0.8/0.072x0.4). The value of LPD will be varied slightly due to
various sizes of signs.
4.2.7.2 As it is difficult and not practicable to determine the exact model of external
luminaries installed, the power wattage of the counted quantities are estimated
according to the similar type of externally luminaires by visual observation. The
values of LPD for externally illuminated signs are estimated by the total estimated
power wattage of luminaries dividing by total estimated area of its externally
illuminated signs.
4.2.8 Measurement of Vertical Illuminance on Facade/Windows of Residents

The high dynamic range imaging (HDRI) technique was used to measure
luminance values for estimation of the vertical illuminance on facade/windows
which is the parameter used for assessing the light trespass into residential
premises.
4.2.9 Benchmark to Classify the External Lighting Impacts

4.2.9.1 Light trespass affecting the sensitive receivers is considered a suitable indicator to
gauge the extent of external lighting impacts in respect of light nuisance in the
surveyed districts/areas. The major criterion selected for assessing the external
lighting impact to the sensitive receivers in the selected districts/areas is the light
trespass measured at pre-curfew and post-curfew when compared with the CIE
standards. For comparison, the proposed benchmark to classify the extent of
external lighting impact in the surveyed districts/areas as a whole is shown in the
below table.
Table 4.3-Benchmark to classify the light trespass impacts

Light Trespass Impact Major Criteria
(% of residents having light trespass over CIE
standards at pre-curfew or at post-curfew)
Insignificant Below 20%
Not that significant 20% to below 40%
Quite Significant 40% to below 60%
Significant 60% to below 80%
Very Significant 80% & above
4.3 Survey on External Lighting Conditions of 6 Representative Districts / Areas

in Hong kong
4.3.1 Shun Lee Estate ( Kwun Tong) in Urban Residential Area (E3)
4.3.1.1 District I Area Overview
Shun Lee Estate (Kwun Tong) is a typical public /subsidized housing estate in
residential district /area and a balanced and self-contained community, in terms
of provision of infrastructure and community facilities such as shopping centres,
schools,markets,car parks, playgrounds/sports courts and bus terminus /mass
transportation. Residents near/facing the playgrounds/sports courts andresidents
facing to the signs probably affected by the sign and sport lighting illumination.
The total size of the uncovered horizontal areas being surveyed was about
3,450sqm. The length 383m along Lee On Road was surveyed to carry out the
assessment impacts of external lighting on five residential buildings, basketball
court and podium shopping centre. The boundary of proposed surveyed
district/area is shown on Appendix A
Basketball Court and Podium (shopping centre) were selected for surveying since
the residents living near to both areas having the highest probability of suffering
the light illumination from the signs and sport lighting because most of the logo
signs and external lighting are located in both areas.
There is one residential building with 96 residential flats at the side facing the
Basketball Court. Meanwhile, there are 4 residential buildings with about 1,038
residential flats at the side facing the podium shopping centre.
4.3.1.2 Particular Measuring Requirements / Measurement Data
1) Effect of light trespass

The HDR image capture was carried out within two time slots. The first
time slot was from 20:00 to 21:30 when most of the outdoor lights were on.
The second time slot was from 23:00 to 00:15 when a number of the
outdoor lights were turned off. The number of windows with estimated
vertical illuminance is 530. The survey results are summarized as
follows:-
Description Period20:00-21:30 Period 23:00-00:15

Pre-curfew Post-curfew
Total number of windows
with vertical illuminance 530
estimated (Shun Lee
Estate)
Average vertical
illuminance 4.01 lx 1.91 lx
(in lx)
Max vertical illuminance
25.66 lx 4.71 lx
(in lx)

The following table shows percentage of survey points exceeding CIE

limits and limits recommended in the Shanghai standard DB31/T316-2004,
at pre-curfew and post- curfew.
Period 20:00-21:30 Period 23:00-00:15
No. of No. of
Proposed Proposed
point point
limit Percentage limit Percentage
exceeding exceeding
(in lx) (in lx)
limit limit
Pre-curfew: 10 lx,
Post-curfew: 2 lx. 10 4 0.8% 2 223 42.1%
(CIE Limit- E3)
Pre-curfew: 25 lx,
Post-curfew: 4 lx. 25 1 0.2% 4 22 4.2%
(Shanghai Limit-E3)
Pre-curfew: calculated
avg 4.01lx,Post-
curfew: calculated 4.01 225 42.5% 1.91 223 42.1%
avg 1.91 lx.
2) Glare on residents due to bright luminaires

The luminous intensities (Id) emitted by the closest luminaires in
directions where bright surfaces of luminaires affect resident flats at the
lower levels (i.e. 1/F to 3/F) of the building are evaluated and the highest value was
around 4380.06 cd, which is lower than the limit recommended in the CIE Standard
(l0,000cd).
3) Sign luminance
The measurement was taken at about 20: 15 on the survey day. The sign
was found to be turned off at about 22:00. The recommended limits apply
to all times and there was no distinction of pre-curfew and post-curfew
time.
Location Type of No.of No. of signs exceeding the limit

sign signs 400 600 8001) 1000
surveyed 2 2 2 2
cd/m cd/m cd/m cd/m
Shun Lee Internally 0 0 0 0 0
Shopping illuminated
Centre Externally 0 0 0 0 0
illuminated
Neon 1 0 0 0 0
Total 1 0 0 0 0
Note:
1) Recommended limit of sign luminance in zone E3 by CIE150:2003. This is also the proposed limiting
luminance for zone E3 in Table3.8 in Section 3.5.3.
4) Building facade luminance

There was no purposely illuminated facade in the survey area.

5) Sign lighting power density

The lighting power densities of signs in the survey area were estimated by
total luminaire power dividing by sign area. The recommended limits apply to
all times and there was no distinction of pre-curfew and post-curfew time. The
following table gives the overall statistics of the lighting power density of
signs estimated in the survey area.
Location Type of sign No. of signs No. of internally

surveyed illuminated signs
exceeding the limit
1301)W/m2
Shun Lee Internally 0 0
Shopping illuminated
Centre Total 0 0
Type of sign No. of signs No. of externally

surveyed illuminated signs
exceeding the limit
262)W/m2
Externally 0 0
illuminated
Neon 13) 1
Total 1 1
Notes:
1) Recommended limit of internally illuminated sign LPD by the California 2008 Building Energy
Efficiency Standards. This also the proposed limiting LPD for zone E3 in the Table 3.12in Section 3.5.6.
2) Recommended limit of externally illuminated sign LPD by the California 2008 Building Energy
Efficiency Standards. This is also the proposed limiting LPD for zone E3 in the Table 3.12 in Section
3.5.6.
3) Neon power consumption is assumed: 15W/m; sign area: 15m2; neon tube length: 103m; LPD
= 15x103/15=103W/m2.
6) Sky glow
The sky glow was measured at high positions at Shun Lee Estate Shopping
Centre, and they were ranged from 16.85 to 17.08 mag/arcsec2. The
measurement location is representative as it is higher than the surrounding
external lightings and provides adequate measuring angle directed to the
sky.

4.3.2 Des Voeux Road Central /Chater Road (Central) in Commercial Area (E4)
4.3.2.1 District/ Area Overview
Central is a Commercial district/area and it should be so representative since
Central is not only the heart of central business district (CBD) but is also an
international financial centre in Hong Kong. Most famous flagship shops of
world-known brand names are located in Central, the extent of internal / external
facade lightings is extensive for the commercial / office buildings nearby and so
do the upward light beams and advertising panels on the roof top of the
skyscrapers that inevitably light up the sky at night times.
Chater Road and Des Voeux Road Central were selected for surveying since both
are one of the most crowded areas in Central and most of the advertising panels
and external lighting are located in both areas.
8,590sqm. Typical sections of lengths 161m and 213m along Chater Road and
Des Voeux Road respectively were surveyed in the study to carry out the
assessment impacts of external lighting on 6 buildings (6 commercial including 1
hotel) and 32 commercial buildings. The boundary of proposed surveyed
district/area is shown on Appendix A

There is only one building being used for hotel purpose within the survey
area. As a hotel, it is mainly used for short-term residential purpose by
tourists. Vertical illuminance on facade/windows facing Chater Road and
Statue Square were estimated by HDR imaging technique. The images for
these two facade were taken at two time periods, once at 20:00-20:50 and
the second time at 00:00-00:45.
The number of windows with estimated vertical illuminance is 280. The

survey results are summarized as follows:-
Description Period 20:00-20:50 Period 00:00-00:45

with vertical illuminance
estimated (Des Voeux 280
Road Central / Chater
Road (Central))
Average vertical
(in lx)
27.07lx 16.92 lx
(in lx)

The following table shows percentage of survey points exceeding CIE and
Shanghai limit at pre-curfew and post-curfew.
Period 20:00-20:50 Period 00:00-00:45
No. of No. of
Proposed Proposed
point point
limit Percentage limit Percentage
exceeding exceeding
(in lx) (in lx)
limit limit
Pre-curfew: 25 lx,
Post-curfew: 5 lx. 25 5 1.8% 5 93 33.2%
(CIE - imit - E4)
Pre-curfew: 50 lx,
Post-curfew: 25 lx. 50 0 0.0% 25 0 0.0%
(Shanghai -imit -E4)
Pre-curfew:
calculated
avg 10.89 lx,
10.89 92 32.9% 4.93 93 33.2%
Post-curfew:
calculated
avg 4.93 lx.

By the on site observation, there was no bright luminaire directly viewed
by the hotel residents and therefore, no potential glare was identified in
Central.
3) Sign luminance
The average luminances of signs in the survey area were obtained by the
HDR technique. CIE150:2003 recommends the use of a luminance meter
to take at least three readings visibly chosen for the measurement of
average luminance. All measurements of sign luminance were taken in
the period of 20:00-22:15. The recommended limits apply to all times and
there is no distinction of pre-curfew and post-curfew time. All signs
larger than 5 m2 and most signs smaller than 5 m2 were included in the
survey. These included signs installed on building facades and standalone
signs such as those at bus/tram stops. The following table gives the
overall statistics of the luminance of signs measured in the survey area.

Location Type of sign No. of No. of signs exceeding the limit

signs 400 600 800 1000 1)
2 2 2
surveyed cd/m cd/m cd/m cd/m2
Des Internally 3 2 1 0 0
Voeux illuminated
Road Externally 8 0 0 0 0
Central illuminated
Neon 2 0 0 0 0
Total 13 2 1 0 0
Chater Internally 9 4 1 1 0
Road illuminated
Externally 5 0 0 0 0
illuminated
Neon 2 0 0 0 0
Total 16 4 1 1 0
Total Internally 12 6 2 1 0
Central illuminated
survey Externally 13 0 0 0 0
area illuminated
Neon 4 0 0 0 0
Total 29 6 2 1 0
Note:
I) Recommended limit of sign luminance in zone E4 by CIE150:2003. This is also the proposed
limiting luminance for zone E4 in Table 3.8in Section 3.5.3.

There were only 2 building facades in the survey area with facade lighting
installed. The crown of Building “ FCR-B1” is lit to a yellowish appearance but
for only a small area with a large setback from the main facades of the building
so that people nearby on the street level cannot see the illuminated crown.
Along Des Voeux Road Central, Building “FDV-B1” has floodlights

illuminating the lower floors only. The following table gives a summary of
the measurement results.
Building facade Average luminance (cd/m2)

CIE limit 25 cd/m2 apply to all
times
Building “FCR-B1” (facade facing 12.9
Chater Road)
Building “FDV-B 1”(facade facing 7.9
Des Voeux Road Central)
From the above results, all the purposely illuminated facades have average
luminance lower than the limit recommended in CIE and the proposed limits
in Table 3.8 in Section 3.5.3.


total luminaire power dividing by sign area. The recommended limits
apply to all times and there is no distinction of pre-curfew and post-curfew time.
Based on the assumptions in para. 4.2.7.1, the LPD of internally illuminated
signs is estimated to about 250W/m2. The following table gives the overall
statistics of the lighting power density of signs estimated in the survey area.
Type of sign Location No. of No. of internally illuminated signs

Signs exceeding the limit
surveyed 130I)
W/m2
Internally Des Voeux 3 3
illuminated Road Central
9 9
Chater Road
Total 12 12
Type of sign Location No. of No. of externally illuminated

Signs signs exceeding the limit
surveyed 26 2)
60 100
W/m2 W/m2 W/m2
Externally Des Voeux 8 7 7 3
illuminated Road Central
Chater Road 5 5 5 4
Total 13 12 12 7
Neon Des Voeux 2 1 1 1
Road Central
Chater Road 2 2 0 0
Total 4 3 1 1
Notes:
Efficiency Standards. This is also the proposed limiting LPD in the Table 3.12 in Section 3.5.6.
Efficiency Standards. This is also the proposed limiting LPD in the Table3.12 in Section 3.5.6.

6) Luminance and Lighting Power Density of Building Facade Lighting
Building facade Average luminance LPD for building

(cd/m2 ) facade lighting1)
(CIE and our
proposed limit 25
cd/m2 apply to all
times)
Building “FCR-B1” (facade 12.9 Facade lighting
facing Chater Road) fixtures cannot
be viewed.
Building “FDV-B1”(facade 7.9 5.55W/m2 2)
facing Des Voeux Road
Central) {only 3 of 7 lamps
were lit up at measurement}
Notes:
1）Except 7 facade lighting fixtures (3 of 7 lamps were lit up at measurement) of Building "FDV-B1", other
facade lighting fixtures were recessed and cannot be viewed. We only provided Facade light LPD for the
Butlding“FDV-B1”.
2）The LPD for the Building “FDV-B1”was estimated as 1296 W/m2 [=250W x 7 /(7 5m x 18m)]for all 7
2
lamps lit up and 5.55 W/m [=250W x 3 / (7.5m x 18m)) for only 3 of 7 lamps turning ON in this case. The
2
facade lighting LPD is less than 14 W/m for E4 Zone according to the propsed limits for E4 zone in
3.12. Table
7) sky glow
The sky glow was measured along the open areas near Statue Square and
they were ranged from 14.92 to 15.34 mag/arcsec2 . The measurement
spots were the only locations at ground floor level not sandwiched by
near by tall buildings and allowed the measurement taken place effectively.

4.3.3 Paterson Street I Great George Street (Causeway Bay) in Commercial-cum

residential Area (E4)
4.3.3.1 District/ Area Overview
Causeway Bay is a Residential-cum-Commercial district/area and is one of the most
crowded areas in Hong Kong. Causeway Bay is characterized by a mixture of old and
new multi-story buildings, with shops and restaurants at street level and commercial
or residential units above and some of the shops are open until well after midnight.
Great George Street and Paterson Street were selected for surveying since both are
one of the most crowded areas in Causeway Bay and the residents living above the
shopping units are probably affected by the signs illumination since many advertising
panels and external lighting are located there.
The total size of the uncovered horizontal areas being surveying was about 3,230sqm.
Typical sections of lengths 92m and 136m along Great George Street and Paterson
Street respectively were surveyed in the study to carry out the assessment impacts of
external lighting on 8 buildings (4 commercial and 4 residential) along Great George
Street and 19 buildings (1 commercial and 18 residential) along Paterson Street. The
boundary of proposed surveyed district/area is shown on Appendix A .

HDR images were taken at various locations in Paterson Street and Great
George Street covering the whole area of study. Residential units in the
buildings in the survey location were included in the survey of the effect of
light trespass on residents by estimating of vertical illuminance on facade/
windows.
These buildings represent all buildings with residential units in the survey area
except a building, which was under renovation with the facade covered by
scaffolding, and a hotel which has a large setback for facade facing Great
George Street. The HDR image capture was carried out within two time slots.
The first time slot was from 20 :00 to 22:00 when most of the outdoor lights
were on. The second time slot was from 00:00 to 02:00 when a number of the
outdoor lights were turned off.
The number of windows with estimated vertical illuminance is 656. The survey
results are summarized as follows:
Description Period 20:00-22:00 Period 00:00 to 02:00
estimated (Causeway Bay)
Average vertical
17.96 lx 4.17 lx
illuminance (in lx)
143.55 lx 129.53 lx
(in lx)
Period 20:00-22:00 Period 00:00-02:00
No. of No. of
Propose Proposed
point point
d limit Percentage limit Percentage
exceeding exceeding
(in lx) (in lx)
limit limit
Pre-curfew: 25 Ix,
Post-curfew: 5 lx. 25 148 22.56% 5 129 19.66%
(CIE Limit-E4)
Pre-curfew: 50 Ix,
Post-curfew: 25 lx. 50 43 6.55% 25 8 1.22%
(Shanghai LimitE4)
Pre-curf ew: calculated
avg 17.96 lx,
Post-curfew: calculated
17.96 231 35.2% 4.17 190 29.0%
avg 4.17 lx.

By the on site observation, there was no bright luminaire directly
viewed by the residents and therefore, no potential glare was
identified in Causeway Bay.
3) Sign luminance
The average luminance of signs in the survey area was obtained by the
HDR technique. CIE150:2003 recommends the use of a luminance meter to
take at least three readings visibly chosen for the measurement of average
luminance. All measurements of sign luminance were taken in the period
of 20:00-22:15. The recommended limits apply to all times and there is no
distinction of pre-curfew and post-curfew time. The following table gives
the overall statistics of the luminance of signs measured in the survey area.
Since the facade of two buildings was under renovation at the time of
survey, the floodlights and signs located there were temporary installations.
Therefore the signs at these two buildings were not included in the survey.
Except for those signs at two buildings, all signs larger than 5 m2 and most
signs smaller than 5 m2 were included in the survey.

Location Type of No. of No. of signs exceeding the limit

sign signs 400 600 800 10001）
surveyed
cd/m2 cd/m2 cd/m2 cd/m2
Paterson Internally 24 2 0 0 0
Street illuminated
illuminated
Neon 5 0 0 0 0
Total 50 5 0 0 0
Great Internally 6 1 0 0 0
George illuminated
Street Externally 7 0 0 0 0
illuminated
Neon 1 1 1 0 0
Total 14 2 1 0 0
Causeway illuminated
Bay Externally 28 3 0 0 0
survey illuminated
area Neon 6 1 1 0 0
Total 64 7 1 0 0
Note:
luminance for zone E4 in Table 3.8. in Section 3.5.3.


total luminaire power dividing by sign area. The recommended limits apply
to all times and there is no distinction of pre-curfew and post-curfew time.
Based on the assumptions in para. 4.2.7.1, the LPD of internally
illuminated signs is estimated to about 250W/m2. The following table gives
the overall statistics of the lighting power density of signs estimated in the
survey area.

Type of sign Location No. of No. of internally illuminated

signs signs exceeding the limit
surveyed 1301)
W/m2
Internally Paterson 24 24
illuminated Street
Great 6 6
George
Street
Total 30 30
Type of sign Location No. of No. of externally illuminated signs
signs exceeding the limit
surveyed 26 2) 60 100
2
W/m 2
W/m W/m2
Externally Paterson 21 21 21 18
illuminated Street
Great 7 7 7 7
George
Street
Total 28 28 28 25
Neon Paterson 5 4 3 2
Street
Great 1 0 0 0
George
Street
Total 6 4 3 2
Notes:
6) Sky glow
The sky glow was measured at the roof of a building in the district and they
were ranged from 15.59 to 16.80 mag/arcsec2 . The measurement location was
near the surveyed area and could be accessed to the roof floor to take the data
with minimum influence by nearby external lighting.

4.3.4 Nathan Road I Sai Yeung Choi Street South (Mongkok) in Commercial-cum
residential Area (E4)
4.3.4.1 District /Area Overview
Mong Kok is a Residential-cum-Commercial district/area and is one of the most
crowded areas in Hong Kong. Mong Kok is characterized by a mixture of old and
new multi-story buildings, with shops and restaurants at street level and
commercial or residential units above.
Nathan Road and Sai Yeung Choi Street South were selected for surveying since
both are one of the most crowded areas in Mong Kok and the residents living
above the shopping units having an extremely large probability of suffering the
light illumination from the signs and sport lighting because most of the
advertising panels and external lighting are located in both areas.
4,820sqm. Typical sections of lengths 140m and 137m along Nathan Road and Sa
Yeung Choi Street South respectively were surveyed in the study to carry out the
assessment impacts of external lighting on 17 buildings (10 commercial and 7
residential) facing to Nathan Road and 25 buildings (5 commercial and 20
residential) facing to Sai Yeung Choi Street South. The boundary of proposed
surveyed district/area is shown on Appendix A.

HDR images were taken at various locations in Nathan Road and Sai
Yeung Choi Street South covering the whole area of study. The effect
of light trespass on residents were also estimated based on the
vertical illuminance on facade/windows.
These buildings represent all buildings with residential units in the survey
area except one building at Nathan Road which was covered by a large
advertising sign. The HDR image capture was carried out within two time
slots. The first time slot was from 20:00 to 22:00 when most of the outdoor
lights were on. The second time slot was from 00:00 to 02:00 when a
number of the outdoor lights were turned off.

survey results are summarized as follows:

estimated (Mongkok)
Average vertical
63.05 lx 12.27 lx
illuminance(in lx)
1,272.35 lx 183.78 lx
(in lx)

The following table shows percentage of survey points exceeding CIE

and Shanghai limit at pre-curfew and post-curfew.
Period 20:00-22:00 Period 00:00-02:00
No. of No.of
Propose Proposed
point point
d limit Percentage limit Percentage
exceeding exceeding
(in lx) ( in lx)
limit limit
Pre-curfew: 25 lx,
Post-curfew: 5 lx. 25 494 72.86% 5 498 73.45%
(CIELimit-FA)
Pre-curfew: 50 lx,
Post-curfew: 25 lx. 50 310 45.72% 25 60 8.85%
(Shanghai Limit -E4)
Pre-curfew:calculated avg
63.05 lx,
63.05 237 34.96% 12.27 202 29.8%
Post-curfew: calculated avg
12.27 1x.
2） Glare on residents due to bright luminaires

All the residential premises in the survey area were not accessible without
authorization by the residents. Therefore, this parameter was estimated
instead of measured.
For assessing the glare problems in Mongkok, the existence of glare

problem was identified by visual inspection such as proximity of bright
light sources to nearby residential flats as well as the aiming angles.
According to site observations, the potential glare problems were found at
four locations at Sai Yeung Choi Street South.
The luminous intensities (Id) emitted by the high bay flood lights mounted
outside one of commercial centres in directions to the affected residents at
three residential buildings nearby were evaluated in range between 4,168
cd and 37,596cd and the highest value was around 37,596cd that exceeded
the recommended limits of CIE Standard (25,000cd).

Consultancy Services for Survey on Impacts
of External Lighting in Hong Kong
3） Sign luminance
The average luminance of signs in the survey area was obtained by the
HDR technique with consistency check by a spot luminance meter.
CIE150:2003 recommends the use of a luminance meter to take at least
three readings visibly chosen for the measurement of average luminance.
All measurements of sign luminance were taken in the period of 20:00
22:00. The recommended limits apply to all times and there is no
distinction of pre-curfew and post-curfew time. All signs larger than 5 m2
and most signs smaller than 5m2 were included in the survey. The following
table gives the overall statistics of the luminance of signs measured in
the survey area.
Location Type of No. of No. of signs exceeding the limit
Sign signs 400 600 800 10001)
2 2 2
surveyed cd/m cd/m cd/m cd/m2
Nathan Internally 25 0 0 0 0
road illuminated
illuminated
Neon 17 0 0 0 0
Total 65 2 1 1 0
Sai Internally 41 9 5 2 1
Yeung illuminated
Choi Externally 52 7 5 5 3
Street illuminated
Neon 8 1 1 0 0
Total 101 17 11 7 4
Mongkok illuminated
survey Externally 75 9 6 6 3
area illuminated
Neon 25 1 1 0 0
Total 166 19 12 8 4
Note:
luminance for zone E4 in Table 3.8in Section 3.5.3.



The lighting power densities of signs in the survey area were estimated by total
luminaire power dividing by sign area. The recommended limits apply to all
times and there is no distinction of pre-curfew and post-curfew time. Based on
the assumptions in para. 4.2.7.1, the LPD of internally illuminated signs is
estimated to about 250W/m2. The following table gives the overall statistics of
the lighting power density of signs estimated in the survey area.
Type of sign Location No. of No. of internally illuminated signs exceeding

signs the limit
surveyed 1301)
W/m2
Internally Nathan 25 25
illuminated3) road
Sai Yeung 41 41
Choi Street
Total 66 66
Type of sign Location No. of No. of externally illuminated signs
surveyed 26 2)
60 100
2 2
W/m 2 W/m W/m
Externally Nathan 23 22 20 16
illuminated road
Sai Yeung 52 52 48 40
Choi Street
Total 75 74 68 56
Neon Nathan 17 17 9 1
road
Sai Yeung 8 8 8 7
Choi Street
Total 25 25 17 8
Notes:
1) Recommended limit of internally illuminated sign LPD by the California 2008 Building Energy Efficiency
Standards. This is also the proposed limiting LPD in the Table 3.12 in Section 3.5.6.
2} Recommended limit of externally illuminated sign LPD by the California 2008 Building Energy
6) Sky glow
The sky glow was measured at the roof of a building and they were ranged
from 16.10 to 16.41 mag/arcsec2 . The measurement location was near the
surveyed area and could be accessed to the roof floor to take the data with
minimum influence by nearby external lighting.

4.3.5 Yan King Road / Kai King Road (Po Lam, Tseung Kwan O) in New Town Area
(E3)
4.3.5.1 District / Area Overview
Yan King Road / Kai King Road (Po Lam) is a New Town district/area and including
public / subsidized housing estates and private housing estate with shopping plaza.
The provision of community facilities and mass transportation are well developed
next to the Po Lam.
The total size of the uncovered horizontal areas being surveyed was about 1,550sqm.
Typical sections of lengths 193m and 55m along Yan King Road and Kai King Road
respectively were surveyed in the study to carry out the assessment impacts of
external lighting on 12 residential buildings facing to Yan King Road and 2
residential buildings facing to Kai King Road. The boundary of proposed surveyed
district/area is shown on Appendix A.

Site assessment were taken at various strategic locations in Yan King Road/
Kai King Road. The effect of light trespass to nearby buildings were then
estimated based on the vertical illuminance on facade/windows.

survey results aresummarized as follows:
Description Period 20:00-21:30 Period 22:45-00:00

Total number of windows with
vertical illuminance estimated 647
(Po Lam,Tseung Kwan O)
Average vertical illuminance
2.19 lx 1.53 lx
(in lx)
9.87 lx 7.85 lx
(in lx)

Period 20:00-21:30 Period 22:45-00:00
Propose No. of Proposed No. of
d limit point point
Percentage limit exceeding Percentage
(in lx)
exceeding (in lx)
limit limit
Pre-curfew: 10 lx,
Post-curfew: 2 lx. 10 0 0.00% 2 125 19.32%
(CIE Limit E3)
Pre-curfew:25 lx,
Post-curfew: 4 lx. 25 0 0.00% 4 22 3.40%
(Shanghai Limit - E3)
Pre-curfew: calculated
avg. 2.19 lx, Post-curfew: 2.19 212 32.77% 1.53 227 35.09%
calculated avg. 1.53 lx.

By the on-site observation, there was no bright luminaire directly viewed by the
residents and therefore, no potential glare was identified at Yan King Road/Kai
King Road (Po Lam).
3) Sign luminance
The average luminance of signs in the survey area was obtained by the HDR
technique. CIE150:2003 recommends the use of a luminance meter to take at least
three readings visibly chosen for the measurement of average luminance. All
measurements of sign luminance were taken in the period of 20:00-22:00. The
recommended limits apply to all times and there is no distinction of pre-curfew and
post-curfew time.
In the survey area, significant signs which may affect residents of two residential
buildings are those on the facade below the podium level of a private shopping
centre. These signs are similar except some difference in the graphics shown. The
centre white portion of the signs is brightest and hence, for each sign,
measurement of average luminance is taken separately for the centre part and
the outer perimeter which is purple. These were the only signs found with an area
2
larger than 5 m .
The following table gives the overall statistics of the luminance of signs
measured in the survey area.
Location Type of sign No. of No. of signs exceeding the limit
signs 400 600 8001) 1000
2 2 2 2
surveyed cd/m cd/m cd/m cd/m
Private Internally 7 0 0 0 0
shopping illuminated
centre Externally 0 0 0 0 0
illuminated
Neon 0 0 0 0 0
Total 7 0 0 0 0
Note:
1) Recommended limit of sign luminance in zone E3 by CIE150 2003. This is also the proposed limiting
luminance for zone E3 in Table3.8 in Section 3.5.3,.

There was no illuminated facade in the survey area.

total luminaire power dividing by sign area. The recommended limits
apply to all times and there is no distinction of pre-curfew and post-curfew
time. Based on the assumptions in para. 4.2.7.1, the LPD of internally
illuminated signs is estimated to about 250W/m2. The following table
gives the overall statistics of the lighting power density of signs estimated
in the survey area.
Location Type of sign No. of No. of internally illuminated signs

Signs exceeding the limit
surveyed 1301)
W/m2
Private Internally 7 7
shopping illuminated3)
centre Total 7 7
No. of externally illuminated
2)
26 50 100
2 2
W/m 2 W/m W/m
Externally 0 0 0 0
illuminated
Neon 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0
Notes.
1) Recommended limit of internally illuminated sign LPDby the California 2008 Building Energy
Efficiency Standards.This is also the proposed limiting LPD in the Table 3.12 in Section 3.5.6.
6) Sky glow
The sky glow was measured at the roof of a representative building in the
district and the measured values were ranged from 17.28 to 17.54 mag/
arcsec2 . The measurement location was near the surveyed area and the roof
floor could be easily accessed for measurement with minimum influence by
nearby external lighting.
Final Report Page63

4.3.6 Clear Water Bay Country Park with nearby villages, Tai Hang Hau and Tai Wan
Tau (Sai Kung) in Rural Area (E2)
4.3.6.1 District/Area Overview
Clear Water Bay Country Park with two villages Tai Hang Hau and Tai Wan Tau are
including in the survey area of rural district / area. The major external lightings are
security and street lightings only in this area and will not cause the sky glow problem.
This area is selected for this study and aimed to measure sky glow and investigate
what level of the sky glow are affected by the sky glow of the adjacent / nearby
districts/ areas such as Tseung Kwan O through the light scattering by the suspended
fine solid particles in the atmosphere. The site measurement data were taken in July,
2009. The boundary of proposed surveyed district/areais shown on Appendix A
4.3.6.2 Particular Measuring Requirements I Measurement Data

Digital images of 2 scenes, one at each of the two villages Tai Hang Hau
and Tai Wan Tau, of residential building facades were taken. These
images were used for the assessment of light trespass using the parameter,
vertical illuminance on facade/ windows.
Since there is no commercial lighting in the area and the street lights and
security lighting are all turned on throughout the whole night, the values are
used to assess the effect of light trespass using recommended limits for both
pre-curfew time and post-curfew time.

survey results are summarized as follows:

estimated (Sai Kung)
Average vertical
(in lx)
7.55 lx 7.55lx
(in lx)
Final Report Page64

The following table shows percentage of survey points exceeding CIE limit at pre-
curfew and post-curfew.
Period 20:15-21:30 Period 00:00-02:00
No. of No. of
Propose Proposed
point point
Percentage limit Percentage
d limit exceeding exceeding
(in lx)
(inlx) limit limit
Pre-curfew:5 lx,
Post-curfew:1lx. 5 4 9.52% 1 17 40.48%
(CIE Limit- E2)
Pre-curfew: calculated avg
1.64 lx, Post-curfew: 1.64 13 30.95% 1.64 13 30.95%
calculated avg 1.64 lx.

By the on site observation, there was no bright luminaire directly viewed by
the residents and therefore, no potential glare was identified in the survey
area.
3) Sign luminance
There was no sign found in the survey area.

5) Sky glow
The sky glow was measured at mainly four areas in Clear Water Bay and they
were ranged from 17.23 to 18.74 mag/arcsec2 .
Final Report Page65

5 ESTIMATION OF ENERGY CONSUMPTION OF EXTERNAL
LIGHTINGS IN SURVEYED DISTRICTS/AREAS
5.1 Introduction
5.1.1 In this Chapter, one of the main objectives is to estimate the energy consumption
of external lighting at the surveyed districts/areas based on the survey findings in
Chapter 4.
5.1.2 The overall energy consumption could be estimated and possible energy saving
measures on external lighting in the 6 surveyed districts / areas will be provided
with reference to internationally accepted good practices and standards.
5.1.3 The estimated energy consumptions for all the surveyed districts / areas are
summarized and illustrated in the formats of table and chart for review before
recommending approach to deal with energy wastage of external lighting in the
surveyed districts/areas in Hong Kong.
5.2 Findings of Survey Results

5.2.1 Based on the survey findings, the current situations of sign luminance (cd/m2 )
were insignificant with reference to CIE’s standard in the 6 surveyed districts/areas.
The energy wastage of external lighting is insignificant due to the luminance factor of
individual signs.
5.2.2 Two (2) main types of energy wastage are:
a) Unnecessary operation hour of external lighting ;
b) Light fittings with low energy efficiency.
5.2.3 Some less energy-efficient lamp types could still be found and some illuminated
signs were still switched on overnight. The detail was shown in Table 5.1. The range
of lighting circuit wattage related to less energy efficiency lighting in kW is from
20kW to 164kW. However, the magnitudes of such figures appear insignificant while
comparing with the overall electricity consumption of the buildings.
5.2.4 From the estimate of lighting power density (LPD) in surveyed districts/areas,
LPD in W/m2 for most internally and externally illuminated signs appeared on high
side as compared to the limiting values recommended by California Building Energy
Efficiency Standard (CBEES). However, the CBEES may not be directly applicable
to Hong Kong in view of the more densely populated urban area, higher building
densities, higher ambient light level and different business and social environment. A
comparison study of the energy consumption of external lighting was conducted in
the 6 selected districts / areas together with an analysis of the possible energy saving
of several different energy saving measures.
5.2.5 From technical perspective, proportional reduction of the existing illumination
level is not practicable to be implemented as redesign and replacement for most of the
existing lighting installation will be required, which bring huge inconvenience to the
public in addition to cost issues. Instead, possible energy saving measures (such as
turning off non-essential lighting at recommended post-curfew time, using higher
efficiency luminaires and high efficacy lamp) to deal with energy wastage of external
lighting are suggested for each of the six surveyed districts / areas.
Final Report Page66

Table 5.1- Comparison of excessin operation hour after pre-set time and estimated low
lighting fitting efficacy to be used in 6 surveyed districts / areas
Related to operation
hour Related to low efficacy lighting fitting1)
Total Daily energy consumption
Lighting % of excess
Location of surveyed Lighting circuit in operation Lighting % of
Item circuit
area wattage hour2) after circuit Sub-total for Total for estimated
wattage at pre-set time wattage TH /IL & lighting lighting
(kW) midnight (in term of (kW) ITEB installation used (in
(kW) kWh) (kWh) (kWh) term of
kWh)
Shun Lee Estate
1 56.2 0.3 6% 20 83 238 35%
(Kwun Tong)
Des Voeux Road

2 Central/Chater 466 376 52% 158 1,247 3,856 32%
Road (Central)
Paterson Street /
3 Great George 423 159 25% 123 672 2,834 24%
Street (Causeway
Bay)
Nathan Road
619 139 164
(Mongkok)
4 17% 1,278 6,670 19%
Sai Yeung Clwi
Street South 492 135 66
(Mongkok)
Yan King Road /
Kai King Road (Po
5 241 10.2 7% 120 493 1,039 47%
Lam, Tseung
Kwan O)
Clear Water Bay

6 Country Park (Sai 19.8 1.98 35% 19.8 46 46 100%
Kung)
Remarks:
1 For this study, low energy efficiency lightings denote tungsten halogen (TH)/ Incandescent Lamp (IL) and
fluorescent tube with electromagnetic ballast (FTEB)
2. Excess in operation hour after pre-set time denotes unnecessary light fitting to be turned on for 8 hours (22:00
to 06 00) for Sai Kung; for 7 hours (23:00 to 06:00) in Shun Lee, Central and Tseung Kwan 0, for 6 hours
(00:00to 6 00) in Causeway &Mong Kok respectively.
Final Report Page67

5.3 General Energy Saving Measures
Two (2) different measures for energy saving are generally introduced and the
concerns when these measures come to implementation are briefly described. The
relationship between the following measures may be interrelated such that the
estimated energy savings should not be additive.
5.3.1 Measures ES1 -Reduction in Operation Hour of External Lighting at Night
5.3.1.1 Curfew as used in some international standards (e.g. CIE) is the time after which
stricter requirements for the control of obtrusive light. The period of darkness is
subdivided into the ‘evening’ (pre-curfew time) when higher light levels are
acceptable and the ‘night’ (post-curfew time) when only essential lighting should
be operated for purposes such as maintenance of amenity and environmental
integrity and for safety, security and overnight commercial activities in some
cases.
5.3.1.2 Turning off or dimming down the lighting when they are not needed could save
energy. To facilitate estimation of the energy saving potential by reducing
operation hour of external lighting, the concept of curfew as stipulated in CIE
Standard may be applied such that after certain specified time at night the external
lighting will be assumed to be switched off. In case of all other outdoor lighting to
be turned off during the post-curfew period, the immediate advantages are to
reduce the energy consumption as well as the potential light trespass, glare and
sky glow. However, before adopting a curfew time, discussions and studies
amongst the interested parties are required to reach mutual agreement. The
lighting control could first be set as the voluntary guideline, for example,
automatic controls through the photocell, programmable time clock or yearly
astronomical controls to turn lighting off during daylight hours. Other controls
may be required to tum off some or all lighting in specific areas during curfew
when lighting is not appropriate. Wide range of relevant controls is readily
available in the market, which meet almost all the anticipated performance
requirements. Apart from those automatic, programmable, and remote-controlled
lighting controls, dimming and multi-lamp switching options for bi-level
illumination levels are also becoming more feasible, especially for fluorescent
sources.
5.3.1.3 Cost Analysis (Measures ES1)

Timer switch is generally applied to switch off the external lighting automatically
or otherwise, these lightings could be manually turned off after business hour of
the shops in most cases. Therefore, no additional cost is assumed
5.3.2 Measures ES2 - Luminaire Replacement with Electronic Ballast for T8
Fluorescent Tube and High Efficacy Lighting Sources
5.3.2.1 Using full-output electronic ballast rather than conventional electromagnetic
ballast can reduce the power (ballast) loss and improve efficacy of tube lights at
higher frequencies, resulting in additional savings if the ballast is optimized to
provide the same light output as with the conventional choke.
Final Report Page68

5.3.2.2 Use of higher efficacy lighting sources (e.g. metal halide, high pressure sodium
lamp, triphosphor fluorescent lamp) for replacement of the less energy efficient lamp
types can reduce energy consumption. For this study, tungsten halogen,
halophosphate fluorescent lamps and incandescent reflector lamp are classified as the
less energy efficient lamps. Larger savings can be achieved if the lighting scheme is
redesigned during major refurbishment project.
5.3.2.3 However, high initial lighting equipment cost, need to re-design the lighting
layout, corresponding labor cost for the new installations are big disadvantage of this
measure. Development of products with new optical systems on the market in future
will likely increase luminaries placement flexibility.
Typical Cost Analy sis for Retrofit (Measures ES2)

i) Using high efficacy 36W T8 Fluorescent tube with electronic ballast at 6
hours daily operation
Total lighting load (Halophosphate at 79 lm/W, Electromagnetic ballast at

0.8 efficiency)= 36/0.8 =45W
Total lighting load (Triphosphor at 90 lm/W, Electronic ballast at 0.92
efficiency) = 36/0.92 x (79/90) =34.35W
Load reduction= 45-34.35 = 10.65W
Operation time: 6hours per day &365 days per year
Total energy saving= (0.65 x 6 x 365) = 23.33kWh
Assume the Electricity rate to be $1/kWh
Total cost saving per year= 23.33 x 1= $23.33
Replacement cost per unit including Triphosphor T8 36W lamp,electronic

ballast and labour cost is estimated to be $220.
Replacement cost of 36W lamp only per unit is estimated to be $25.
From technical data, the lamp life is 15,000 hours, for the lamp operating
in 6 hours per day, the lamp can last for about 7 years.
Without replacement of lamp, the estimated payback period is approx. 10

years (i.e. 220/23.33 = 9.4 years).
With replacement of lamp, the estimated payback period is approx. 11
years (i.e. 245/23.33 =10.5 years).
Hence, payback period longer than the lamp life is economically not
attractive for retrofitting the existing lighting. In other words, it saves energy
but not save money.
Final Report Page69

ii) Using high efficiency 400W Flood light (Replacement from tungsten
halogen type to metal halide type) at 6 hours daily operation
Similarly,
Load reduction=400-400/0.93x(16/75) ≌ 308.24W
Total energy saving=308.24 x 6 x 365=675.05kWh
Total cost saving per year=$675.05
Cost per luminaire (400W metal halide flood light) =$3,000

Total replacement cost(labour cost included)=$4,000
Payback= 4000/675.05 = 6 years
From technical data, the lamp life is 24,000 hours, for the lamp operating in
6 hours per day, the lamp can last for about 11 years.
From the above, the payback period for using high efficacy fluorescent tube
with electronic ballast is around 5 years longer than using high efficiency
flood light. However , whether it is advisable to carry out such conversion
depends on quantity of light fittings, existing lamp types, ballast types,
operation hours, etc. Therefore, the cost benefit analysis should be further
evaluated in each survey district /area based on the figures in the above
calculations in case retrofit of existing lighting is to be considered.
5.4 Comparison of Energy Consumptions in 6 Surveyed Districts/Areas

5.4.1 In this section, the estimated daily and annual energy consumptions of lighting
installations for each surveyed districts/areas are summarized and illustrated into table
and chart formats for review. These 6 surveyed districts/areas, ranging from a quiet
and dark rural country park to the loud commercial-cum-residential areas, should be
classified into different representative categories when we are studying the
relationships between business activities and the external lightings in terms of
operation hours, luminaire types and energy consumptions. At the end, the estimated
energy consumption for all the surveyed districts/areas will be consolidated into table
and bar chart format for easy comparison amongst them in kilowatt-hour per square
meter (kWh/m2).
5.4.2 The overall energy consumption and LPD of internal and external illmininated
signs of the 6 surveyed districts / areas are summarized in Table 5.2 and Figure 5.1
with annual energy consumption per unit area for comparison The “surveyed area
(unit: m2)”is estimated based on both the lit areas (vertical & horizontal sign areas)
and the uncovered horizontal surveyed site area which is estimated for the road areas
where most of the external lighting installations in the respective surveyed district/
area are located and other areas with buildings are in general excluded .

5.4.3 The descending order for these six selected districts / areas (in terms of annual
kWh/ m2) is as follows:
i. Nathan Road/ Sai Yeung Choi Street South (Mongkok) -238.1 kWh/m2
ii. Great George Street /Paterson Street (Causeway Bay)- 233.6 kWh/m2
iii. Yan King Road/Kai King Road(Tseung Kwan O)-158.8kWh/m2
iv. Chater Road /Des Voeux Road Central (Central)-135.2kWh/m2
v. Shun Lee Estate (Kwun Tong)- 24.3 kWh/m2
vi. Tai Hang Hau and Tai Wan Tau Villages (Clear Water Bay) -0.6 kWh/m2
5.4.4 Noting that the LPD limits in overseas standards may not be directly applicable to
Hong Kong’s local context for meaningful comparison, the study instead attempts
to compare the LPD of external lighting across the 6 surveyed districts/areas. For
shop front lighting installation, LPD1 denote that the estimated electrical power
consumed by shop front lighting installations per unit shop front area of an
illuminated space while LPD2 denote that the estimated electrical power
consumed by shop front lighting installations per unit shop front and floor
area of an illuminated space. “Shop front area (unit: m2)”is estimated based
on the shop front vertical entrance area and “Shop front and floor area (unit: m2)”
is estimated based on both the shop front vertical entrance area and covered
horizontal area outside the entrance. The respective LPD1 & LPD2 for these six
selected districts / aresa (in terms of W/m2) are summarized in Table 5.3 and their
descending order are as follows:-
1. Nathan Road / Sai Yeung Choi Street South (Mongkok) -153W/m2 &
78W/m2
2. Chater Road/DesVoeuxRoadCentral(Central)-105W/m2 &53W/m2
3. Great George Street /Paterson Street (Causeway Bay) -95W/m2 &
49W/m2
4. Shun Lee Estate (KwunTong)-94W/m2 &56W/m2
5. Yan King Road /Kai King Road (Tseung Kwan O)-30W/m2 &20W/m2
5.4.5 For LPD for shop front lighting, the highest value of LPD1 and LPD2 are
estimated to 153W/m2 and 78W/m2 respectively in Mongkok. And the range LPD1
and LPD2 for six surveyed areas are from 30W/m2 to 153W/m2 and from 20W/
m2to 78W/m2 respectively.
5.4.6 For the annual energy consumption per unit area, the highest value before preset
time (i.e. pre-curfew) is 198kWh/m2 in Mongkok and the highest value after
preset time (i.e. post-curfew) is 7lkWh/m2 in Central. Infact, the category of the
highest two values in selected districts / areas (i.e. Mongkok (238kWh/m2 )
and Causeway (233kWh/m2)) are the same as residential-cum-commercial with
both the preset time at 00:00 presumed. At the same time, the energy consumption
in Central after preset time is higher than that in Mongkok but the former district
has one more operation hour after preset time (at 23:00). Predictably, these three
districts mentioned in this paragraph dominate the energy consumption of external
lighting and suggests that it is much in proportion with the commercial activities.
After studying different energy saving measures in Section5.3,the percentages of
energy saving for the same measure certainly vary among the selected districts /
areas because of the difference in quantity and type of external lighting.

Table 5.2 - Comparison of Estimated Energy Consumption in 6 Surveyed Districts/ Areas

Daily Total Daily Total Annual
Daily
LPD limits LPD limits Total Energy Annual Energy Annual Energy Energy Energy
Consumpti Energy Consumpti Consumption
Estimated Quantity of on Internal on External Lighting Consumption Consumption
Surveyed Preset Consumpti
Item Category Surveyed Location surveyed Lamp illuminated illuminated Circuit on p er Unit Area p er Unit Area on (kWh)
Districts Time on (kWh/m2),
Counted sign sign Wattage (kWh) (kWh/m2) (kWh) /
Area1) (kWh)
(W/m2) (W/m2) (kW) Before Before Preset After Preset 19:00to (kWh/m2)
(m2) After Preset
Preset 06 :00 19:00 to 06:00
Podium
86,943
Urban/ Shun Lee Shopping Centre
1 23:00 3,490 383 Nil 103 56.2 225 23 13 14 238 /
Residential Estate & Basketball
24.3
Court
Chater Road & 1,407,385

Urban/ 192 to
2 Central Des V oeux Road 23:00 10,288 858 20 to 350 466.0 1,864 64 1,992 71 3,856 /
Commercial 306
Central 135.2
Great George 1,034,510

Causeway 216 to 36to
3 Street & Paterson 0:00 4,347 587 423.4 2,117 173 717 60 2,834 /
Urban/ Bay 288 1062
Street 233.6
Residential-
cum-
Commercial Nathan Road & 2,434,550
192 to 35to
4 Mongkok Sai Yeung Choi 0:00 10,013 2,228 1,1120 5,560 198 1,110 40 6,670 /
288 1660
Street South 238.1
Yan King Road 379,600

Urban/New Tseung 216 to
5 &Kai King 23:00 2,335 252 Nil 242.0 968 148 72 11 1,040 /
Town Kwan O 288
Road 158.8
Tai Hang Hau,

Clear Water
Tai Wan Tau, 16,622
Bay
6 Rural Lung Ha Wan, 22:00 29,490 396 Nil Nil 19.8 30 04 16 0.2 46 /
Country
Country Park 0.6
Park
(TaiHang Tun)
Notes
1 The “surveyed area” is summation of the lit areas (vertical & horizontal sign areas) and the uncovered horizontal surveyed s1te area wh1ch is the estimated for the road areas where most of the external lighting installations in
the respective surveyed district/ area are located and other areas with buildings are in general excluded.
2 Estimated LPD on internally illuminated signs are varied due to various size of signs.
Final Report
-72-
Figure5.1-Bar Chart for Comparison of Estimated Energy Consumption in 6 Surveyed Districts /Areas
Note: The scenarios and figures inthisbar chart are directly referred to Table 5.2
Final Report
-73-
Table 5.3- Comparison of Estimated LPD for shop front lighting installations in 6 Surveyed Districts/ Areas
Estimated
Estimated Estimated
Estimated LPD1 for shop lighting power LPD2 for shop
Surveyed lighting power surveyed shop
Item Category Surveyed Location surveyed shop front lighting for shop front front lighting
Districts for shop front front and floor
front area (m2) (W/m2) and floor area (W/m2)
area (kW) area (m2)
(kW)
Podium Shopping
Urban / Shun Lee
1 Centre & Basketball 49 525 94 49 876 56
Residential Estate
Court
Urban / Chater Road & Des
2 Central 290 1,449 105 290 5,482 53
Commercial Voeux Road Central
Urban/ Causeway Great George Street &

3 137 1,449 95 137 2,805 49
Residential Bay Paterson Street
-
cum- Nathan Road & Sai
4 Mongkok 312 2,039 153 312 4,004 78
Commercial Yeung Choi Street South
Urban /New Tseung Yan King Road & Kai

5 19 634 30 19 950 20
Town Kwan O King Road
Clear Tai Hang Hau, Tai Wan
Water Bay Tau, Lung Ha Wan,
6 Rural - - NA - - NA
Country Country Park
Park (Tai Hang Tun)
Note
1. The “Shop front area (unit: m2)” is estimated based on the shop front vertical entrance area and “Shop front and floor area (unit: m2) ” is estimated based on both the shop front vertical entrance area and covered
horizontal area outside the entrance (e g. the width of pavement)
Final Report
-74-
5.5 Proposed Measures to Cope with Energy Wastage in the Surveyed Areas
5.5.1 To identify whether there is any energy wastage in the surveyed districts / areas,
two major criteria are applied:
i) Is the unnecessary lighting turned off appropriately?
ii) Is the lamp type used of proper (in terms of design, operation &
maintenance) and energy-efficient?
5.5.2 For the first criterion, we tried to assume those unnecessary lighting to be
switched off after recommended curfew hour and estimate how much energy could be
saved in this regard (Measure ES1 ). The results of each surveyed districts / areas are
summarized in the table below. However, the figures in the table are the estimated
maximum values while the actual energy savings are dependent on the different
scenarios on the level of implementation. In site visual observation, approx. half
external lightings in various survey areas to be operated after pre-set time would be
further switched off in about 3 hours later by rough estimation. Discount factor 0.75
is applied for estimation of energy consumption (kWh) after pre-set time.
5.5.3 For the second criterion,we tried to assume the less energy-efficient lamp type to
be replaced by more energy-efficient lamp type / control gear (Measure ES2). By
rough estimation and assumption regarding nos. of less energy efficient lights,
discount factor 0.5 is applied for estimated number of fluorescent tube with
electromagnetic ballast.
5.5.4 The following Tables 5.4 to 5.7 show potential energy saving (kWh) per annual in
different scenarios of implementation for the measures. It is noted that the magnitude
of energy saving from replacing the less energy efficient lighting (i.e. measure ES2)
is not that much and for the commercial and commercial-cum-residential areas, the
proportion of energy saving from reducing unnecessary operation hours of external
lighting (i.e. measure ES1) is relatively more significant.
Table 5.4 - Estimated Potential Energy Saving (kWh) per annual in Scenario
1 The most favourable (100% Implementation for the Measures)1)
Causeway Tseung Clear Total for 6
Measures Shun Lee Central Mongkok surveyed
Bay Kwan O WaterBay areas
1,326,6
766 720,601 230,087 343,830 18,922 12,461
(kWh) 67
ES1
(%) 1% 51% 22% 14% 5% 75% 25%
(kWh) 30,587 214,602 103,432 135,415 26,380 2,752 513,167
ES2
(%) 35% 15% 10% 6% 7% 17% 10%
ES1 1,572,3
(kWh) 30,769 782,286 288,158 413,363 44,640 13,155
& 70
ES2 (%) 35% 56% 28% 17% 12% 79% 29%
Final Report 75
Table 5.5 - Estimated Potential Energy Saving (kWh) per annual in Scenario 2
More favourable (80% Implementation forthe Measures)2)
Total for 6
Measures Shun Causeway Tseung Clear
Central Mongkok surveyed
Lee Bay Kwan O Water Bay
areas
1,061,33
(kWh) 613 576,48 1 184,070 275,064 15,137 9,969
ES1 3
(%) 1% 41% 18% 11% 4% 60% 20%
(kWh) 24,470 171,681 82,746 108,332 21,104 2,202 410,534
ES2
(%) 28% 12% 8% 4% 5% 13% 8%
ES1 1,257,89
(kWh) 24,615 625,829 230,527 330,690 35,712 10,524
& 6
ES2 (%) 28% 44% 22% 14% 9% 63% 23%
Table 5.6 - Estimated Potential Energy Saving (kWh) per annual in Scenario
3 Average (50% Implementation for the Measures)
Total for 6
Measures Shun Causeway Tseung Clear
Central Mongkok surveyed
Lee Bay Kwan O Water Bay areas
(kWh) 383 360,301 115,043 171,915 9,461 6,231 663,333
ES1
(%) 0.4% 26% 11% 7% 2% 37% 12%
(kWh) 15,294 107,301 51,716 67,708 13,190 1,376 256,584
ES2
(%) 18% 8% 5% 3% 3% 8% 5%
ES1 (kWh) 15,385 391,143 144,079 206,681 22,320 6,577 786,185
&
(%) 18% 28% 14% 8% 6% 40% 15%
ES2
Table 5.7 - Estimated Potential Energy Saving (kWh) per annual in Scenario4
Less favourable (20% Implementation for the Measures)
Total for 6
Measures Shun Causeway Tseung Clear surveyed
Lee Central Bay Mongkok Kwan O Water Bay
areas
(kWh) 153 144,120 46,017 68,766 3,784 2,492 265,333
ES1
(%) 0.2% 10% 4% 3% 1% 15% 5%
(kWh) 6,117 42,920 20,686 27,083 5,276 550 102,633
ES2
(%) 7% 3% 2% 1% 1% 3% 2%
ES1& (kWh) 6,154 156,457 57,632 82,673 8,928 2,631 314,474
ES2 (%) 7% 11% 6% 3% 2% 16% 6%
Remarks:
1) 100% implementation means all existing external lightings at night will beswitched off for Measure ES1 and all
estimated quantity of existing fluorescent tubes with electromagneticballast will be replaced by electronic ballast
for Measure ES2.
2) 80'/o implementation means 80% of existing external lightings at night will be switched off for measure
ES1 and 80% of estimated quantity of existing fluorescent tubes with electromagnetic ballast will be
replaced by electronic ballast for Measure ES2.
Final Report 76
5.5.5 According to the survey results, two main types of energy wastage problems
related to the existing installation were spotted as follows:-
(i) Unnecessary operationhour ofexternal lighting sat night.
(ii) Low efficacy light fitting produces an impact on energy consumption .
5.5.6 To deal with potential energy wastage of the existing external lightings in survey
areas, turning off unnecessary external lighting at night (measure ESl ) could be the
most direct measure to save energy. Respective owners are encouraged to turn off the
unnecessary lighting at night to reduce the energy wastage in commercial-related
districts /areas (Central, Causeway Bay, Mongkok)where the estimated potential
saving will be from 26% to 7% (scenario 3) (assuming the average scenario of 50%
implementation for the measures) as shown on Table 5.6. However, the absolute
saving in term of kWh will be comparably small when comparing with the total
electricity consumption of the typical buildings as a whole.
5.5.7 And then, the proposed measure ES2 could be introduced to encourage owners of
the lighting to replace the existing low efficacy lightings by using high efficacy lamp
sources such as metal halide, higher luminous efficacy fluorescent with electronic
ballast. However, replacement cost for existing lighting is a major concern as long
payback period makes the measure not economically attractive.
Final Report 77
6 ASSESSMENT OF THE EXTENT OF LIGHT NUISANCE PROBLEMS IN

SURVEYED DISTRICTS/AREAS
6.1 Introduction
6.1.1 In this Chapter, based on the survey findings, the extent (e.g. no. of hour),
intensity and distribution of light nuisance problems due to external lighting in
the surveyed districts/areas are assessed.
6.1.2 Approaches and measures will be recommended to deal with the light nuisance
problems, if any, of external lighting in the surveyed districts/areas based on
the survey findings.
6.2 Findings of Survey Result
6.2.1 General
The situation related to light trespass impacts as identified in the study as a
whole are considered not that significant except at Nathan Road and Sai
Yeung Choi Street in Mongkok. The 6 surveyed districts/areas range from a low
brightness rural country park with residential villages to very high brightness
commercial-cum-residential area. These 6 surveyed areas have environmental
zone classified as low brightness zone E2 to high brightness E4 according to the
CIE environmental zoning.
6.2.2 Shun Lee Estate (Urban Residential Area)
The surveyed area of Shun Lee Estate is an urban residential area with a
shopping centre and a basketball court. It was found that light trespass of
some spotsin the survey is quite significant but light nuisance situation
was not that significant overall. The potential nuisance situation is from
the security lighting affecting lower floors and the interior lighting or
residential units affecting those in close proximity due to the high density
of flats in the estate. It is a reason to explain the relatively higher % of light
trespass at post-curfew time.
6.2.3 Central (Commercial Area)
The surveyed area of Central which is a commercial district is also bright.
However, the density of floodlights and signs is not as high as those in
Mongkok. Moreover, since this is not a residential area, light nuisance effect
on residents is not an issue.
6.2.4 Causeway Bay & Mongkok (Commercial-cum-residential Area)
The results found that the commercial-cum-residential area of Mongkok has the
potentially the highest light nuisance situation because many residential premises
are in close proximity to the high brightness commercial area with high density of
floodlights, internally illuminated signs and neon signs. The surveyed area in
Causeway Bay is also bright but it was found that the light nuisance situation is
not as significant as Sai Yeung Choi Street South in Mongkok because the density
of floodlights and signs is not as high as those in Mongkok.

6.2.5 Tseung Kwan O(New Town)

The surveyed area of Yan King Road/Kai King Road, Tseung Kwan O is a new town
with high density of residential units and shopping arcade. Being a new town
developed in recent years,the layout of residential and commercial area has been
better planned. There is adequate separation between the residential units and the
commercial shopping arcade. The potential light nuisance problems, if any, were due
mainly to the street lighting and security lighting affecting lower floors of the
residential units near to street level. Security lighting of a car park may also cause
nuisance problem to residents in close proximity in the same estate. The high density
of residential units may also produce potential nuisance problem due to interior
lighting of nearby residential units. It is a reason to explain the relatively higher % of
light trespass at post-curfew time.
6.2.6 Clear Water Bay Country Park (Rural Area)

The surveyed area of the rural Clear Water Bay Country Park with nearby villages
Tai Hang Hau and Tai Wan Tau has little light nuisance problem. As the density of
residents in the villages is still not very low,and that the area is nearby the new town
of Tseung Kwan 0 which is only 2-3 km away, there is some sky glow problem. The
part of the rural Clear Water Bay Country Park under the survey is not suitable for
astronomical observation.
6.2.7 Summary of light nuisance situations on the 6 Surveyed Districts/Areas

The following Table 6.1 summarizes the current situation of light nuisance problems
in terms of light trespass at pre-curfew and post curfew time, glare at residential
unitsand over-bright sign from the 6 surveyed areas:
Table 6.1-Summary of current situation of light nuisance problems

Location of Areas Light trespass Light trespass Glare at Over-
Item Surveyed area environmental at pre-curfew at post- residential bright
zone time curfewtime units sign
Urban
Shun Lee Estate Quite
1 Residential Insignificant No No
(KwunTong) significant
Area (E3)
Des Voeux Road
Commercial Not that
2 Central/Chater Insignificant No No
Area (E4) significant
Road (Central)
Paterson Street // Commercial
Great George -cum- Not that
Street residential significant
(Canseway Bay) Area (E4)
Nathan Road Commercial Not that
Significant Yes No
(Mongkok) -cum- significant
4 Sai Yeung Choi residential Yes
Very
Street South Area (E4) Significant Yes (4 nos.
significant
(Mongkok) spotted)
YanKing Road/
Kai KingRoad New Town
5 Insignificant Insignificant No No
(Po Lam, Tseung Area (E3)
Kwan O)
Clear Water Bay
Country Park with
nearby villages, Tai Rural Area Quite
Hang Hau and Tai (E2) significant
Wan Tau
(Sai Kung)

6.3 General Control Measures

Three (3) type of control measures to deal with light nuisance are generally
introduced and the concerns when these measures come to implementation are
briefly described.
6.3.1 Type 1 -Reduction in operation hour of external lighting at night
6.3.1.1 Measure M1 is to educate or encourage the owners, shop operators and residents
to switch off lights when not in use or dim down the lighting when full
illumination not necessary in accordance with the concept of curfew time (say
23:00 or 24:00) recommended by CIE standard. This is a simple measure and
relatively easy to implementation.
Pros:
• Reduce light trespass problem in the post-curfew hours and to certain
extent realising energy saving opportunities.
• Reduce nuisance to residents who desire a darker environment for better
sleep quality during the time when most people would sleep (and residents
who want better sleep quality may benefit).
• Reduce sky glow in the countryside at night (and residents with interest to
view celestial bodies may benefit)
Cons:
• With a voluntary approach, effectiveness of the proposed measure depends
very much on the cooperation of the stakeholders. With a mandatory
approach, it may arouse concerns of various stakeholders and requires
manpower for implementation of the measure, e.g. in checking whether non-
exempted lights are switched off after the curfew hour.
• Essential lights such as those for safety, security or business may need to be
kept on even after the curfew time.
6.3.2 Type2-Positioning and type of lighting

The following measures are to educate or encourage the owners of existing lighting
to modify the existing lightings as possible measures but are difficult to implement as
redesign and replacement for the existing lighting installations may be required in the
surveyed district / area which may not be practicable. However, such measures could
be considered for application in new lighting installations as a measure to prevent
light nuisance arising from the new lighting.
6.3.2.1 Measure M2 is to aim (or use asymmetrical luminaire) or shield lighting fixtures
to target areas and downwards as far as practicable to reduce spill light.
Pros:
• Reduce sky glow (and residents with interest to view celestial bodies may
benefit).
• Reduce nuisance to residents especially those at levels higher than the
floodlights / facade lights (and neighbouring residents may benefit).
• Reduce nuisance to the residents facing sport ground light.
Cons:
• May cause difficulty in lighting design / installation. Modifications to
existing lighting may not be practicable.

• The quantity and hence cost of down lighting used for facade I signs may
be more to achieve more even illuminance level on external ilhnninated
signs.
6.3.2.2 Measure M3 is to control the sizes and location of advertising signs

with reference to Buildings Department's Guide on Erection & Maintenance
of Advertising Signs so that the clearance to the building could be
appropriately maintained.
Pros:
• Reduce nuisance to residents facing the advertising signs (and
neighbouring residents may benefit).
Cons:
• Requires careful definition of the sizes / locations, which may cause
dispute.
• Requires cost for rearrangement of advertising sign configmation.
• Nuisance may still exist even the BD’s guide is followed.
6.3.2.3 Measure M4 is to use lights with suitable cut-off facilities for security
lighting/footpath lighting.
Pros:
• The security lights / footpath lights will not cause nuisance to residents at
higher levels (and residents may benefit from this measure). And it is
about minimum nuisance to residents could be maintained.
• Reduce sky glow (and residents who want to view celestial bodies may
benefit).
Cons:
• Requires cost for replacement of security lights / footpath lights. Overall
effectiveness of the cut-off lights depends on design and actual
installation.
• The actual number of lighting may be increased, in which may use more
energy and need more capital cost.
6.3.3 Type 3-Conducting an impact assessment before installation work in new

lighting or existing lighting with major renovation as preventative measure
6.3.3.1 Owners of new or existing (with major renovation) external lighting installations
are encouraged to conduct an impact assessment before the major renovation
work and operation of the lighting.
Pros:
• Reduce the potential of nuisance caused by external lighting (and
neighbouring residents may benefit).
• Reduce sky glow (and residents who want to view celestial bodies may
benefit).
Cons:
• Increase cost of the external lighting installation due to impact assessment and
need for better lighting design using higher quality lighting
installations.
• It is not possible to distinguish “new”and“existing”external lighting.

6.4 Proposed Measures to Cope with Light Nuisance Problems in the Surveyed
Areas
6.4.1 The situation related to light trespass impacts as identified in the study as a whole
are considered not that significant except at Nathan Road and Sai Yeung Choi Street
in Mongkok. The major light nuisance problem is light trespass assessed by vertical
illuminance on windows due to the following situations.
(a) Extemal lightings were still switched on even after business hours.
(b) Some floodlights used for signs were at upward position and inappropriately
aim lighting fixtures or symmetrical lighting s were used to create spill light.
(c) Locations of signs were very close to residential units.
(d) Spill light were created by non cut-off lights for pole mounted security/
footpath lighting.
6.4.2 The following various measures to deal with the above-mentioned situations
related to the lighting trespass in the 6 surveyed districts/areas for improvement
due to existing external lighting:
Ml. To educate or encourage the owners, shop operators and residents to switch
off lights when not in use or dim down the lighting when full illumination not
necessary to adopt the concept of curfew time (say 23:00) recommended by
CIE standard.
M2. To educate or encourage the owners of existing lighting to aim (or use
asymmetrical luminaire) or shield lighting fixtures to target areas and
downwards as far as practicable to reduce spill light.
M3. To remind the owners of existing lighting to follow the sizes / locations of
advertising signs with reference to Buildings Department's Guide on Erection
& Maintenance of Advertising Signs. (For example, signs could be not project
beyond the centre line of a street; signs could be not less than clearance
of3.5m and a minimum distance of lm from the curb if projecting over a
pavement; and signs could be not less than clearance of 5.8m if projecting
over a street.)
M4. To educate or encourage the owners of existing lighting to use lights with
suitable cut-off facilities for security lighting/footpath lighting.
6.4.3 In fact, during major refurbishment project, choosing luminaires of higher light
output ratio and using the cut-off and shielded luminaries can also limit the
disability and discomfort glare, reduce light trespass and sky glow since good
luminaries preventing the emission of light at and above the horizontal level can
reduce visual intrusion and direct upward light to a minimum.

7 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

7.1 Introduction
7.1.1 As mentioned in Chapter 5 & 6, the energy wastage and light nuisance were
considered not that significant except for some isolated spots, such as Sai Yeung Choi
Street in Mongkok. A voluntary approach with reference guidelines may be more
appropriate to deal with the current situation and the proposed guidelines should
focus on both light nuisance and energy conservation aspects.
7.2 Proposed Way Forward to Cope with the Problematic Spots identified from
Surveyed Areas
7.2.1 At present, there is no regulatory control in regulating the external lighting
impacts in Hong Kong. It was also found that energy saving from replacing the
existing lighting with more energy efficient lighting is not that much and the light
nuisance situation was not that significant except in some individual spots of the
survey areas. A voluntary approach with reference guideline may be more
appropriate to deal with the situation in the 6 surveyed districts/areas.
7.2.2 Voluntary reference guidelines could be considered to include the following
various measures and practices for minimizing light nuisance and preventing energy
wastage of outdoor lighting in the 6 surveyed districts/areas due to existing external
lighting :
1. To educate or encourage residents and office / shop operators to switch off lights
that are not used and to adopt a curfew time for turning off or dimming down the
lights at night when not in use and after business hours.
2. To encourage owners of existing lightings to use the higher efficacy
luminaires to replace the existing one.
3. Aim (or use asymmetrical luminaire) or shield lighting fixtures to target areas
and downwards as far as practicable to reduce spill light.
4. Control the sizes / locations of advertising signs with reference to Buildings
Department's Guideon Erection & Maintenance of Advertising Signs.
5. Use lights with suitable cut-off facilities for security lighting/footpath lighting.
7.2.3 In addition to the above-mentioned measures to existing external lightings, it is
recommended that an impact assessment may be conducted for new or existing (with
major renovation) external lighting installations before the installation/renovation
work and operation of the lighting as preventive measures tominimize the possible
light nuisance with appropriate light level and separation from residents. The
effectiveness of the measure depends on the co-operation attitude of residents and
shop operators in the current situation under voluntary approach.
7.2.4 The stakeholders are encouraged to follow the proposed guidelines through
education and publicity, or persuasion when the recommendations in the guidelines
are not followed. Education and publicity campaigns are effective measures as some
past examples show that reputable companies/ organizations would respond to
complaints against light nuisance or energy wastage of their outdoor lighting
installations and carried out various mitigation measures. Financial incentive scheme
may be one of possible measures to encourage the stakeholders to carry out some
improvement works of external lightings related to the light trespass situation.

7.2.5 The key disadvantage of this voluntary approach is that the government has no
authority to control the situation on use of external lighting in private premises. For
prudent private property owners and building managers, however, bad publicity due
to any adverse effect of artificial light, including sky glow, glare, light trespass, light
clutter, decreased visibility at night, and energy waste in their buildings could reduce
the building's market value, more so if there are litigations against the lighting
nuisance. They may also try to avoid adverse impression from the public which may
become the potential initiative for the promotion of guideline.
7.3 Recommended Practice (reference guideline) for Measuring and Assessing

the Impacts of External Lighting in Hong Kong
7.3.1 Introduction
7.3.1.1The voluntary guidelines could contain for reference a recommended zoning
system for the control of outdoor lighting; a set of recommended curfew hours for
each lighting zone and a set of limiting values for control of light trespass & glare for
each lighting zone.
7.3.1.2 Details of the recommended lighting zone system, curfew hours and parameters
and values to limit the effect of light nuisance are given in the following sections
and Tables 7.1 to 7.5. Apart from the 6 surveyed districts/areas, it is possible for
the proposed measures to be adopted in other similar districts/areas of Hong Kong.

7.3.2.1 Since different districts/areas have different population densities and different
levels of commercial and recreational activities which require different lighting
conditions at night, a lighting environmental zoning concept, if adopted, should be
carefully applied taking into account the local context as Hong Kong is a high
densely populated city with mixed land use and different social activities at night.
The benefits and limitations of an environmental zoning system for external lighting,
however, should be taken into account when considering for application in Hong
Kong. Using a lighting zoning system can provide benefit to the majority of the
general public in different sectors. Firstly, the zoning system allows sufficient
brightness in areas with commercial and recreational activities at night for those who
desire to enjoy night shopping and recreational activities. Secondly, it provides a
darker environment for the residents in residential areas to enjoy good quality leisure
time and rest at home during nighttime. Thirdly, zoning can also give opportunities to
protect intrinsically dark areas for astronomical observers to conduct astronomical
observations with little interference from the urban lighting. However, the limitations
and practicability of zoning system for Hong Kong's context include for example,
difficulty to classify zones with medium district and high district brightness which
will be not just a technical issue.
7.3.2.2 To provide the maximum benefits to different sectors of the general public, a 4
zone lighting zoning system similar to the CIE lighting environmental zoning
system could be considered,with adaptations,for adoption in Hong Kong.

7.3.2.3The suggested preliminary lighting zone classification is given in Table 7.1 for
illustration which gives only a guideline to start with the classification of lighting
environmental zones in Hong Kong using the Residential Density Zoning for
Metroplan Area,New Towns and Rural Areas.
Table7.1-Recommendation of lighting environmental zones

Zone Lighting Provision of areas of different Remarks
Environment ambient brightness for different
nighttime activities
E1 Intrinsically For astronomical observation. e.g. Country parks and
dark designatedareas for astronomical
observations
E2 Low district For people who want to have a rural e.g. Rural Residential Density Zones
brightness living condition including having a RR2, RR3, RR4,RR5, Village (with
low night time ambient brightness. New Territories Exempted Houses);
Metropl.an Residential Zone 3; and
New Towns Residential Density
ZonesR3 &R4
(Excluding areas already classified as
country parks which is suggested to
belong to zone El by default)
E3 Medium district For residential areas where people Rural Residential Density Zone
brightness would enjoy the convenience of RRl ;Metroplan Residential Zone 2;
commercial activities nearby (e.g. the and New Towns Residential Density
convenience of buying everyday ZonesR2
needed items without traveling long
distance). Even for a little
commercial activity at night, such as a
convenience store,the area will need
to be brighter than a solely residential
area,i.e. the area would have medium
ambient brightness.
E4 High district For areas with high level of Metropl.an Residential Zone1;and
brightness commercial and recreational New TownsResidential Density
activities at night. These areas are Zones R1
with high nighttime brightness for
residents and visitors to enjoy
nighttime shopping and recreation.
7.3.2.4However, practical issues relating to implementing the zoning concept in Hong

Kong should be taken into consideration. Building mix and building density make
it difficult to classify zones. Zoning classification is not just a technical issue. It is
also a social issue and will arouse disputes among stakeholders with differing
interests or concerns. Possibility could be considered to classify only the
geographic areas broadly into the low brightness and high brightness zone.
7.3.3 Establishment of Curfew Hour
7.3.3.1With establishment of curfew hours, suitable commercial and/or recreational

activities can still operate during the early part of the night and residents can enjoy
a darker environment for good quality sleep during the later part of the night.
Unnecessary waste of energy can be avoided by requiring some nonessential
lights to be turned off after the curfew hour. A preliminary recommendation of
curfew hours for the 4 suggested lighting environmental zones is given in Table
7.2.

Table 7.2 -Recommended curfew hours for the 4 suggested lighting zones
Lighting E1 E2 E3 E4
Environmental Zone
Curfew hour1) 21:00 22:00 23:00 24:00 2） 2）
Notes:
1) The curfew hour is the time when all non-essential lights should be switched off All non-essential lights should be kept
off after the ourfew hour until dawn of the next day.
2) Exemption shall be given to functioo.al lighting installations which require all night operation. such as signs of 24
hour stores. Such lights should not cause nuisance to nearby residents.
7.3.3.2 However, it may be difficult to define non-essential lights as lightings are often
used for business needs and security and safety reasons. It may also be difficult to have
a widely acceptable definition of non-essential lights.
7.3.4 Light Trespass, Glare from Bright Light Sources, Building Facades and Signs
7.3.4.1 CIE Standard with the stringent limiting values is mostly adopted in some pioneer
countries for light nuisance prevention. The CIE Standard listed in Table 7.3 can be
used as a reference for Hong Kong light nuisance assessment.
Table 7.3-Parameters and limits for assessing light trespass extracted from CIE
standard.
Light Technical Application Lighting Environmental Zones and Recommended

Parameter Conditions Limits
Verical illuminance E1 E2 E3 E4
at centre of Pre-curfew 2 lx 5 lx 10 lx 25 lx4
）
window (Ev)1) （CIE）（CIE）（CIE）（CIE）

Post-curfew 0 lx 1 lx4
）
2 lx4
）
5 lx4)
(CIE) （CIE）（CIE） (CIE)
Luminous intensity Pre-curfew 2500 cd 7500 cd 10000 cd 25000 cd
emitted by luminaires (CIE) (CIE) (CIE) (CIE)
(Id) in directions towards Post-curfew 0 cd 500 cd 1000 cd 2500 cd
residents2) (CIE) (CIE) (CIE) (CIE)
Building facade Pre-curfew 0 cd/m2 5 cd/m2 10 cd/m2 25 cd/m2
luminance (Lb) (CIE) (CIE) (CIE) (CIE)
Post-curfew 0 cd/m2 5 cd/m2 10cd/m2 25 cd/m2
(CIE) (CIE) (CIE) (CIE)
Sign luminance (Ls)3) Pre-curfew 50 cd/m2 400 cd/m2 800 cd/m2' 1000 cd/m2'
Post-curfew 0 cd/m2 400 cd/m2 800 cd/m2 1000 cd/m2
Note:
1) The values are the summation of all lighting installations.
2) If the directly seen luminaires are flashing, the luminous intensity should be half of the given limits.
3) Signs include video walls but exclude signs for traffic control. The use of signs incorporating lighting which is cyclic
or flashing in nature is deprecated in zones E1 and E2. In any zones such signs should not be positioned close to
windows of habitable rooms.
4) In a few survey areas, the measured results are far from the limiting values of CIE standards.

7.3.4.2Comparing the survey results of vertical illuminance at centre of window (Ev) in

the surveyed districts / areas with Table 7.3, the existing value of the survey results
are generally not exceeding the limits of CIE standard except that the light trespass at
pre-curfew time of a certain proportion of residents in E4 zones and the light trespass
at post-curfew time in E2, E3 & E4 zones (such as Central, Causway Bay, Nathan
Road and Sai Yeung Choi Street South) are higher than the limits of CIE standard.
For Luminous intensity emitted by luminaires (Id) in directions towards residents,
Building facade luminance and Sign luminance for all zones and light trespass at pre-
curfew time for El, E2 & E3 zones and at post-curfew time for E1 zone,the limits of
CIE standard are not exceeded.
7.3.4.3For the light trespass at pre-curfew time and post-curfew time of E4 zone,
parameters and limits for assessing light trespass with reference to the survey results
in Central, Causeway Bay (CB), Nathan Road (NR) and Sai Yeung Choi Street South
(SYCS) comparing with various standards or 20% demarcation line of resident
benefit are listed in Table 7.4 for the proposed limits selection to encourage the 6
surveyed districts/areas for improvement.
Table 7.4 -Limits for assessing light trespass with reference to the survey results In
Central，Causeway，Nathan Road and Sai Yeung Choi Street South.
Light Technical Application Lighting Environmental Zones and
Parameter Conditions Recommended Limits
E1 E2 E3 E4
Vertical reference Central CB NR SYCS
illuminance at Pre-curfew 2lx 5lx 10 lx 25 lx 25 lx 27lx 32lx 113lx
centre of window
(CIE) (CIE) (CIE) (CIE) (CIE) (200%) (200%) (20%)
(Ev)1)
0 lx 1lx 2 lx 5 lx 7 lx1)
5lx 15lx 15 lx
Post-curfew
(CIE) (CIE) (CIE) (CIE) (20%) (200%) (200%) (20%)
Note:
1. (20%) denotes 20% demarcation line of resident benefitmeansthat no more than 20% of the residential units surveyed
hav ing vertical illuminance on window of greater than the representative recommended values at pre-curfew and post-
curfew times. For example in Central, if the recommended limits of vertical illuminance on window is 7 1x at post-
curfew, about 20% of the existing residential units will be greater than that value.
7.3.4.4 As a starting point of Hong Kong light nuisance prevention with the ease of
implementation and encouragement of further improvement, the suggested reference
limiting values shall be not too far from the values of existing surveyed situation We
suggested the limiting values of the light trespass at pre-curfew time of E4 zone and
at post-curfew time of E4 zones be established in comparing with various standards
or 20% demarcation lines of resident benefit in Table 7.4 to come up with pragmatic
reference values. The suggested limiting values in Table 7.5 may serve as a reference
when limiting values for light trespass are considered for inclusion into the voluntary
guidelines. A review can be carried out some years later after launch of the guidelines
to formulate future policy dependent on the actual experience.

Table 7.5 - Summary of proposed parameters and limits for assessing light
trespass
Light
Application Lighting Environmental Zones
Technical
Conditions and Recommended Limits
Parameter
Vertical El E2 E3 E4
illuminance at Pre-curfew 2 lx 5 lx 10 lx 50 lx 4)
centre of (CIE) (CIE) (CIE) (Shanghai)
window (Ev) l) 25lx4）
Post-curfew 0 lx 1 lx4） 2lx4）
(CIE) (CIE) (CIE) (Shanghai)
Luminous Pre-curfew 2500 cd 7500 cd 10000 cd 25000 cd
intensity emitted (CIE) (CIE) (CIE) (CIE)
by luminaires Post-curfew 0 cd 500 cd 1000 cd 2500 cd
(Id) in directions (CIE) (CIE) (CIE) (CIE)
towards residents
2)
Building facade Pre-curfew 0 cd/m2 5 cd/m2 10 cd/m2 25 cd/m2

luminance (Lb) (CIE) (CIE) (CIE) (CIE)
Post-curfew 0cd/m2 5 cd/m2 10 cd/m2 25cd/m2
Sign Pre-curfew 50 cd/m2 400 cd/m2 800 cd/m2 1000 cd/m2
luminance (CIE) (CIE) (CIE) (CIE)
(Ls)3) Post-curfew 0 cd/m2 400 cd/m2 800 cd/m2 1000cd/m2
Notes:
1) Thevalues are the summation of all lighting installations.
2) If the directly seen luminaires areflashing, the luminous intensity should be half of the given limits.
3) Signs include video walls but exclude signs for traffic control. The use of signs incorporating lighting which is cyclic or flashing
in nature is deprecated in zones El and E2. In any zones such signs should not be positioned close to windows of habitable rooms.
4) In some of the survey areas, the measured v alues of a certain proportion of residents exceed the limiting values of CIE
standards. And (Shanghai) denotes"Shanghai Municaipal Standard DB31/T316-2004"
7.4 Recommendation
7.4.1 As a first stage to deal with the problems due to external lighting in the surveyed
districts/areas, a set of guidelines with a view to limiting the impacts of external
lighting on the general public (the guidelines) could be developed to encourage
voluntary compliance with guidelines through publicity and education. Some kind
of voluntary charter could be promoted in the community to encourage
developers,property management companies,shops to implement the guideline.
7.4.2 If the relevant parameter(s) of a lighting installation subject to complaint is found
not complying with the guidelines and the owner(s) of the lighting device can be
identified, recommendations can be given to the owner(s) to improve the lighting
installation.
7.4.3 To deal with the problematic spots identified from the 6 surveyed areas, a
voluntary approach with reference guideline may be more appropriate. And the
stakeholders are encouraged to switch off unnecessary lightings at night for
minimizing the light nuisance and preventing energy wastage of outdoor lighting
through education and publicity campaigns.

7.4.4 A review should be conducted after a few years of implementation of the

voluntary external lighting guideline. The review may include the experience
of implementation of the voluntary outdoor lighting guidelines and the
effectiveness of the guidelines in reducing the adverse impacts of outdoor
lighting installations. Overseas experience concerning outdoor lighting control
should also be reviewed again to keep our reference materials up-to-date.

Appendix A-
General information of Site Survey
Areas
Page
A.l Shun Lee Estate (Kwun Tong) A-1
A.2 Des Voeux Road Central/ Chater Road (Central) A-2
A.3 Paterson Street /Great George Street (Causeway Bay) A-3
A.4 Nathan Road / Sai Yeung Choi Street South (Mongkok) A-4
A.5 Yan King Road / Kai King Road (Po Lam) A-5
A.6 Clear Water Bay Country Park with nearby villages, Tai Hang Hau andTai Wan A-6
Tau (Sai Kung)
A.l Shun Lee Estate (Kwun Tong)

The boundary of proposed surveyed district/area is shown on the following site plan.
1. Urban / Residential Category- Shun Lee Estate (a public housing estate) (Kwun Tong)
Legend:
(boundary of survey area)
Overall Summary
The total estimated size of the uncovered horizontal surveyed site areas being surveyed:
3,450m2
The total estimated areas for internal and external signs in the survey area: 40m2
Total of buildings: 5 nos.
A-1
A.2 Des Voeux Road Central / Chater Road (Central)
2. Urban / Commercial Category - DesVoeux Road Central / Chater Road (Central)
Legend:
Overall Summary:
8.590m2
The total estimated areas for internal and external signs in the survey area: 1,698m2
Street name: Des Voeux Road Central

Street length to be surveyed: 213m
Street name: Chater Road

A-2
A.3 Paterson StreetI Great George Street(Causeway Bay)

3. Urban / Residential-cum-Commercial Category- Paterson Street / Great George Street / (Causeway Bay)
Legend:
Overall Summary
3,230m2
The total estimated areas for internal and external signs in the survey area:
1,117m2
Street name: Paterson Street
Street name: Great George Street

Totalofbuildings: 8 nos
A-3
A.4 Natban Road I SaiYeung Choi Street South (Mongkok)
2. Urban / Residential-cum-Commercial Category -Nathan Road / Sai Yeung Choi Street South
(Mongkok)
Legend:
Overall Summary
4.820 m2
The total estimated areas for internal and external signs in the survey area: 5.198m2
Street name: Nathan Road

Street length tobe surveyed: 140m
Street name: Sai Yeung Choi Street

A-4
A.5 YanKing Road/ Kai KingRoad (Po Lam, Tseung Kwan O)

5. New Town Category-Yan King Road / Kai King Road (PoLam)

Legend:
Overall Summary
1,550m2
The total estimated areasfor internal and external signs in the smvey area: 785m2
Street name: Yan King Road

Street name: Kai King Road Street

A-5
A.6 Clear Water Bay Country Park with nearby villages, Tai Hang Hau and Tai Wan
Tau (Sai Kung)
6. Rural Category - Clear Water Bay Country Park with nearby villages, Tai Hang Hau and Tai Wan
Tau (Sai Kun )
Legend:
Overall Summary
District Name StreetNumber Purpose Vertical Area (m2)

Tai Wan Tau N/A Residential N/A
Tai Hang Hau N/A Residential N/A
A-6

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FINAL REPORT

CONSULTANCY AGREEMENT No.2C2TP09

SURVEY ON IMPACTS OF EXTERNAL LIGHTING IN

1.1 Background ............................................................................................................................................7

1.2 Objectives of Study ................................................................................................................................7

1.3 Scope of study .........................................................................................................................................7

1.4 Methodology ..................................................................................................................................................9

1.5 Structure of Reporting ................................................................................................................................9

2 REVIEW OF OVERSEAS EXPERIENCE IN IDENTIFYING AND

2.1 Obtrusive Light Effects of External lighting ..............................................................................11

3 INVESTIGATION OF THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT WITH RESPECT TO

3.3 Light Pollution in Hong Kong ...................................................................................................... 28

4 SURVEY OF THE EXTERNAL LIGHTING CONDITIONS IN HONG KONG

4.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................38

4.2 Survey Methodology ...............................................................................................................................38

4.3.6.2 Particular Measuring Requirements / Measurement Data .........................................................64

5 ESTIMATION OF ENERGY CONSUMPTION OF EXTERNAL LIGHTINGS

5.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 66

5.2 Findings of Survey Results .......................................................................................................... 66

5.3 General Energy Saving Measures ...............................................................................................68

5.4 Comparison of Energy Consumptions in 6 Surveyed Districts / Areas .................................... 70

6 ASSESSMENT OF THE EXTENT OF LIGHT NUISANCE PROBLEMS IN

6.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 78

6.2 Findings of Survey Result...............................................................................................................78

6.3 General Control Measures ........................................................................................................... 80

7 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION ........................................................83

7.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................83

7.4 Recommendation ............................................................................................................................88

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Table 3.4 Range of night sky brightness in different districts/areas 30

Figure 2.4 Sky Brightness Nomogram 22

AO/PA Administration offices (industrial) or public activity (leisure) area

RPFO Residential premises facing outside of estate （面向小区外侧的住户）

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Objectives of the study

2. The objectives of the study were to:

Scope of the study

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7. In the review of relevant overseas experience in assessing the impacts of external

10. The selection criteria for representative districts / areas include

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Approach for Site Measurements

Results of the study

Areas Light trespass Light trespass Glare at Over-

Yan King RoadI

Conclusion & Recommendation

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1.2 Objectives of Study

1.3 Scope of Study

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1.5 Structure of Reporting

Chapter 2: Review of overseas experience in identifying and measuring

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Chapter 7: Conclusion and recommendation

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2.1 Obtrusive Light Effects of External Lighting

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2.1.4.2 Effect on road users

2.1.4.3 Effect on astronomical observers

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2.1.4.4 Impacts of external lighting on energy consumption

2. Energy consumption of external lighting installations depends on the type of